Take a moment and think to yourself. Actually do this… What is your one “go-to” activity when you want to relax, distract yourself, or just want to get away from the responsibilities of life? Some people enjoy going fishing, while others enjoy sipping tea to the sweet melodies of Frank Sinatra. Whatever your activity may be, it is something you are passionate about, something you could do for hours, something sacred to your being on this Earth. This behavior is lackadaisical, often distracting from one’s true responsibilities; but it always brings you joy. For myself, that activity is without a doubt problem-solving (or specifically “puzzle solving”).
I have been classified as a problem solver for as long as I can remember. Finding the shortest route between my room and the fridge, solving Sudoku puzzles, and fixing broken toys all developed as early habits of mine. Instead of sleeping or watching a movie on road-trips, I spent hours building Lego candy machines and unique door-locking mechanisms. I was one weird kid, I know, but these are the behaviors that have shaped me into the aspiring computer engineer I am now. In the realm of solving problems for fun, this is where the Rubik’s Cube comes in. As I have previously mentioned, it was my friend Harrison who initially get me hooked on the art of color-matching. Maybe it was jealousy that he could solve a problem I couldn’t, maybe it was a mutual love for the unknown. I don’t know, but regardless I quickly went from novice child to a sub-45 second solver who just had to show all of his friends at school.
It was 2013. The best way to distribute my newfound talent was through this up-and-coming platform known as Facebook. Despite the risk you may be posing to your own privacy nowadays, I encourage you to watch the 12 year old Nick solve his first Rubik’s Cube on camera.
https://www.facebook.com/nick.alico.7/videos/135191786657842/
Yes, I know I stick my tongue out too much… This was an actual Rubik’s brand cube, universally known to cubers as the worst puzzle choice ever. Regardless, I was proud of my accomplishment, and knew that I had finally accomplished a task that had eluded me for so long. It truly is the little things in life that can make a person happy with who they are.
Over my awkward teenage years, I found myself broadening my horizons by engaging myself in cross country, marching band, and numerous social events that high school prioritizes above all else. I often faced times alone, since you can probably tell I wasn’t exactly “Mr. Popular” in school. I had a great life and decent core friends, but oscillations of friendships and stresses of my education led to some quite difficult times while I was really growing up. I remember sitting in my room, dismayed by the lack of participation and social engagement I was involved in, constantly fretting over schoolwork and insignificant issues that plague us all from time to time. Each time those moments reached me in the dark of night, instead of turning towards a deleterious path, I chose to instead pick up my six-colored cube and “solve” my problems one layer at a time. (Like that pun?) 🙂 I was able to disengage from the worries around me, and instead focus on solving the one simple task at hand. This method was always successful in calming my composure, while placing my mind in the positive state it needed to be in to continue my daily responsibilities.
College has been nothing but positives in the way I have been able to approach the future of my life. I can solve my cube with pride, knowing there’s someone right down the hall who possesses the same interest. The community of cubers is statistically at an all time high, something I am no longer shy about being a member of. It is something that I am proud to call a part of me, and is a skill I will continue to fidget and relax with as long as stressors keep appearing.
For reference, here is a new video of me solving the cube today; five years after I began my nerdy, passionate escapade.