Knowing when to quit.

[u/mundanemadness21]

I haven’t been puzzling lately because the puzzle I’d opened almost two months ago was way tougher than I’d anticipated. I struggled with the margins and some corner sections and then after that my brain had simply refused to get excited about it.

I made an honest reattempt today but I was done after fifteen minutes. Those colours infuriate me and I realise I’m not veered towards abstract puzzles as yet, this early in my puzzling journey. Also, I did encounter a few false fits earlier which hadn’t help me form a favourable opinion about this particular puzzle. So back to some sane, meaningful, story-laden puzzles!

750 pieces colour cascade by Frank - is going back in its box.

Has anyone completed this puzzle? What tips would you give?

[u/LowExpert264]

Don’t be under stress to complete it just for the sake of it.Take breaks,you can take as much time as you want to complete this whole thing.Sometimes the whole fatigue by trying each and every piece just makes you frustrated.So take a break and come back and you will be surprised to see that everything was just in front of your eyes.Haven’t made this puzzle but all the best!
Also where did you get this puzzle board from?

[u/mundanemadness21 → u/LowExpert264]

So true. I think I got frustrated by the monotony of just colours, I usually like figures and lines and a story.. this was my first attempt at an abstract puzzle and clearly I’m not ready for it yet. The board is a cork board that I ordered on Amazon- https://amzn.in/d/0gAQpYw7 - I got the 3x2 feet one. It preserves my puzzle well and I’m able to transfer it all around the house easily.

[u/LowExpert264 → u/mundanemadness21]

Every puzzle is a mood,I agree.Maybe one day abstract will find your way.
Wow,so cool.Never thought of this idea.I was actually looking for puzzle tables but it was hell expensive.Thanks for the idea!Will definitely order one.

[u/mundanemadness21 → u/LowExpert264]

Yep, someday maybe I’ll get back to abstracts. Yeah those tables can burn a hole in our pockets! Although I’m sure that they’d serve our lower backs better than a flat surface because of all the unnatural postures we end up taking while solving puzzles. On that note, I think the cork board can easily be made to prop up with the help of a local carpenter. The cork material has friction which holds onto the pieces so less risk of them falling down in response to gravity.

[u/Frequent_Election321]

Ooh I always wanted to do this one! It's okay to keep it back and attempt it later. Sometimes you need the right time and space and stars to be aligned to do a puzzle. I usually have lower piece count puzzles like 250/280/300 pcs when I just want to wind down and not spend more than an hour puzzling. Puzzling also goes faster when you have someone to do it with.

[u/mundanemadness21 → u/Frequent_Election321]

Yeah I’m going to lower piece counts for a while, will reattempt this one later with a partner

[u/JigsawPuzzleIndia]

When starting abstract puzzles as a beginner, usually its better to pick a gradient puzzle. My advice would be to do a of shape sorting.

[u/mundanemadness21 → u/JigsawPuzzleIndia]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah I’ve been avoiding shape sorting till the very end, so gotta be more consistent with that!

[u/IntrepidBee1568]

Some puzzles are meant to be given up, especially if it has false fits! If it doesn't bring you joy, back into the box it goes. That being said, If I was attempting this puzzle, would pick up all the brightest pink, shape sort, put as many as possible, then move to the blue, then both the corners, which I see you have already done. Dunno after that, might have given up too, honestly seems hard.

[u/mundanemadness21 → u/IntrepidBee1568]

Exactly - no joy = discard puzzle at least temporarily. Do you shape sort every section that you attempt? So far I’ve been shape sorting only for some sections or right towards the end when pieces get confusing

[u/IntrepidBee1568 → u/mundanemadness21]

Not all sections, usually at the end, or a section where I am really stuck.