Anyone else use the Mini as a daily 'commute reset' ritual and actually talk to people afterward?
I started doing the NYT Mini on my phone on the train to stop doomscrolling during my commute. I live in a busy city and it had started bothering me how everyone, myself included, can disappear into our own little bubbles even when something weird is happening in the same subway car.
So I built a tiny routine: open the Mini, do it once, then put my phone away for a couple stops. The surprising thing is that it actually makes me look up more and do small, real things. Not trying to be a hero, just little gestures. If someone is wrestling with a stroller I hold the door. If someone looks lost I ask if they need directions. Once I even asked the guy next to me if he wanted to race the Mini, and we ended up chatting about how we each approach a blank grid.
It feels a little silly to credit a 5x5, but the Mini gives me a quick win and kills the urge to keep scrolling. When I am not glued to my screen I notice more, and that matters because I have been trying to be more intentional about basic bystander stuff and being a better neighbor.
Anyone else have a crossword or games app ritual tied to your day? Does it change how you show up in public spaces?