The Strength of Puzzles: Artful Healing, One Piece at a Time

There’s something extraordinary that happens when we sit down with a puzzle. The world slows. The chaos quiets. And piece by piece, we begin to find a rhythm, a focus, a sense of calm we didn’t know we were missing.

For me, this isn’t just a hobby. It’s healing.

As a 24-year cancer survivor, I’ve come to understand the invisible weight that illness places on our mental health. The treatments may end, but the emotional recovery continues. Anxiety, isolation, uncertainty—they linger long after the diagnosis fades. In that storm, I found peace through creativity. Crafting. Reading. And puzzles.

That’s why I created The Strength of Puzzles collection—now available on Etsy at strengthofpuzzles.etsy.com.
Through my brand, Horizontal 8, I’ve designed these puzzles to be more than entertainment. Each one is a vibrant piece of modern art—luxurious in look and deeply intentional in meaning.

Each puzzle in this collection honors a specific mental health journey:

• “Mind Maze” is a celebration of color and complexity—a metaphor for navigating our thoughts with curiosity rather than fear.

• “Reach” features purple hands extending toward a lotus flower, a symbol of power, peace, and the truth that we are never alone.

• “Renewal”, with its calming gradient of greens, represents growth, hope, and healing—the quiet strength it takes to start again.

These aren’t just puzzles. They’re reflections of resilience. They are meditative tools. A way to connect—to your inner self, to the present moment, or even to a loved one as you piece together something beautiful together.

The name Horizontal 8 is symbolic, too. The horizontal number eight is the infinity symbol—because healing isn’t linear, and strength isn’t defined by perfection. It’s a journey, a cycle, a quiet return to wholeness again and again.

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift, a mindful escape, or artwork that challenges the hands and soothes the spirit, I invite you to explore the full collection.

✨ Discover the collection at strengthofpuzzles.etsy.com
And follow along here at Getting Crafty With It as we continue to blend creativity with purpose.

Because healing can be beautiful. And strength, like art, often comes together—one piece at a time.