I recently bought a Rubik’s Cube and started bringing it to the office. During short breaks, instead of scrolling through my phone, I pick up the cube and let my hands do the thinking. It’s a simple habit, but it gives my mind a different kind of workout, one that’s playful, focused, and strangely calming.
Solving (or attempting to solve) the cube reminds me that progress doesn’t always look flashy. Sometimes it’s just learning one new algorithm, noticing a pattern I missed before, or shaving a few seconds off a step. Even when I’m stuck, I’m still training patience and problem-solving. That’s a win in my book.
What I like most is how it pulls me away from screens. Those quick, mindless scrolls used to eat my breaks. Now, the cube gives me a healthy pause, eyes off the monitor, brain still engaged. It’s a tiny reset that helps me return to work with better focus and lighter energy.
I’m also enjoying the small conversations it starts. A teammate will ask how it works, or someone shares their own method. It becomes a little moment of curiosity in the middle of a busy day.
I don’t need to be the fastest cuber. I just want a habit that keeps my mind tinkering in a fun way, and this does exactly that. One twist at a time, I’m reminded that learning can be playful, and that small, intentional breaks can make the rest of the day better.
“The problems of puzzles are very near the problems of life.” — Ernő Rubik
Have a great day!
Link to the source of the image.