Okay, so today I tried out the NYT Crossword for the first time. I’ve always seen people doing crosswords, you know, on the train or in movies, and I figured, “Why not give it a shot?”
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to find the thing. I just googled “NYT Crossword” and, boom, there it was. The New York Times website. Seemed pretty official.
The First Few Clues
I jumped right in. The interface was clean, just a grid with some numbers and blacked-out squares. The clues were listed on the side, split into “Across” and “Down.” I started with 1 Across, which felt like the logical place to begin.
The first few were surprisingly easy! I think it boosted my confidence, which was probably their plan. I filled in a couple of short words, feeling pretty good about myself.
Hitting a Wall
Then… I hit a wall. Some of these clues were tough! I mean, I consider myself a reasonably well-read person, but some of this stuff was out there. Pop culture references I didn’t get, historical stuff I’d forgotten, and just plain tricky wordplay.
Using the Check Feature (A Lot)
This is where the “Check” feature became my best friend. I’d type in a guess, hit “Check Puzzle,” and more often than not, I’d get a big fat “nope.” But, it helped! Sometimes seeing which letters were wrong gave me a clue about what the right ones might be.
The Reveal Button (Desperate Times)
Okay, I’ll admit it. I used the “Reveal” button a few times. I’m not proud, but I was getting frustrated. Sometimes I just needed to see one word to get the ball rolling again. I justified it by telling myself I was “learning.”
Finishing (Sort Of)
I didn’t technically finish finish. There were definitely some blank squares at the end. But I got a good chunk of it done, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. I understand why people like using hints online, but for my practice, I try my best to find the clues myself.
My Final Thoughts
- It’s harder than it looks. Those crossword pros make it seem effortless, but it takes some serious brainpower.
- It’s addictive. Even when I was stuck, I wanted to keep going.
- It’s a good workout for your brain. I felt like I was stretching mental muscles I don’t normally use.
I’ll try to give it another go tomorrow. Practice make perfect I guess!
