Okay, so today, I want to talk about something that’s been a big part of my routine lately – the NYT crossword. I’ve always been a fan of word games, but I really got into crosswords a few months ago. I remember seeing an article about how the puzzles get harder throughout the week, with Monday being the easiest and Saturday being the toughest. That really got me hooked.
I started with the Monday puzzles. I printed them out, grabbed a pen, and just went for it. The first few I did were pretty straightforward. I could get most of the clues without too much trouble, and I would make some coffee and solve these puzzles in a cozy morning. It felt good to fill in those little squares and see the words come together. I was pretty proud of myself for finishing them, even if they were the “easy” ones.
After a while, I moved on to the Tuesday puzzles, and then the Wednesdays. They were definitely a step up, but I was getting the hang of it. I started to notice patterns in the clues and the way the answers were structured. It was like learning a new language, in a way. And I started to find that I was spending a lot of time on these puzzles – I saw somewhere that the average time spent on crosswords is over nine minutes, and I was definitely hitting that mark.
- Started with Monday puzzles: These were a good introduction to the NYT crossword style.
- Moved up to Tuesday/Wednesday: I felt like I was improving, but it was getting more challenging.
- Noticed patterns: I started to understand the logic of the clues better over time.
I also tried looking up some hints online. I found some pages that gave solutions to specific clues, which was helpful when I was really stuck. Like, there was this one clue – “A lot to like” – that I just couldn’t figure out. I ended up finding the answer on one of these hint sites. It was a bit of a relief, but I also wanted to figure it out on my own.
Then I did some calculations – if the average finish time is over nine minutes, and there are thousands of puzzles, that’s a ton of time! I realized I was probably spending a couple of hours each week on these things. It’s a bit crazy when you think about it, but I enjoy it.
Anyway, the “A lot to like” clue was on my mind for a while. I read that the answer to this clue had appeared on the puzzle that came out on September 20. That’s all I found. Eventually, I tried to search for the clue, there were almost 30 answers on the result page. Man! I knew I need more practice on crosswords.
My Current Routine
Now, I try to do a crossword every day, or at least a few times a week. I still mostly do the Monday to Wednesday puzzles, but I’ve attempted a few Thursdays and even a couple of Saturdays. Those are really tough! I haven’t finished a Saturday one yet, but I’m determined to do it eventually.
It’s become a fun little challenge for me. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a puzzle, and I enjoy the process of figuring out the clues, even when it’s frustrating. It’s a nice way to keep my mind sharp and learn new words. Plus, it’s just a relaxing way to spend some time, you know? Sitting down with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle – it’s a simple pleasure, but it’s something I’ve come to really appreciate.
So yeah, that’s my crossword journey so far. It’s not super exciting, but it’s something I enjoy, and I wanted to share it. Maybe it’ll inspire some of you to give it a try. Just be warned – it can be addictive!
