Why I Replaced My Morning Crossword with WordTry

I used to be that person who'd grab the newspaper first thing every morning, flip straight to the crossword, and spend anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes trying to crack it. Sometimes I'd finish it, sometimes I wouldn't, and honestly? It started feeling more like a chore than a joy.

Then I discovered WordTry, and everything changed.

The Problem with My Old Routine

Don't get me wrong - I love crosswords. But they have this way of taking over your morning, you know? I'd start with good intentions, thinking I'd spend just five minutes on it. But then I'd hit a tricky clue, and suddenly I'm googling "1980s sitcom character" or asking my partner if they remember some obscure literary reference.

Before I knew it, I'd burned through half an hour and still had an empty grid staring back at me. Not exactly the confident start to the day I was hoping for.

What Makes WordTry Different

WordTry gives me that same mental warm-up I loved about crosswords, but in a much more manageable package. It's one word, five letters, six guesses. That's it. No matter what happens, I know I'll be done in under five minutes.

The instant feedback is what really hooked me. With crosswords, you might not know if you're on the right track until you've filled in half the puzzle. But WordTry shows you immediately - blue for correct letters in the right spot, orange for letters that belong somewhere else, gray for letters that don't belong at all.

The Streak Factor

Here's something I didn't expect: the streak tracking actually motivates me more than completing a crossword ever did. There's something powerful about seeing that number go up day after day. I'm at 47 days now, and I'm genuinely protective of it.

It's not about being competitive with others (though the share feature is fun when friends are playing too). It's about proving to myself that I can stick with something small but meaningful every single day.

The Perfect Morning Ritual

Now my routine looks like this: I wake up, make my coffee, and open WordTry while it's brewing. By the time my coffee's ready, I've usually solved the puzzle. If I'm struggling, I'll finish it while I'm having my first few sips.

It's become this nice little moment of focus before the day gets chaotic. No distractions, no rabbit holes, just me and five letters. Sometimes I solve it in three guesses and feel like a genius. Sometimes I need all six and that's okay too.

Why It Sticks

The thing about WordTry is that it feels achievable. With crosswords, I'd sometimes hit a wall and just... give up. Leave it half-finished on the table. But with WordTry, even when I don't get the word, I've still completed something. I've made six thoughtful guesses, learned something about letter patterns, and I know there's a fresh puzzle waiting for me tomorrow.

Plus, sharing my results has become this fun little thing I do. I'll post my grid on social media or text it to friends who also play. It's like a tiny daily connection point with people I care about.

The Unexpected Benefits

Beyond just being a fun way to start the day, I've noticed WordTry has actually improved my pattern recognition and vocabulary recall. The five-letter constraint forces you to think about common letter combinations in ways that feel more practical than memorizing crossword trivia.

And there's something to be said for a habit that you actually look forward to. I genuinely get excited when I wake up and remember there's a new puzzle waiting. It's a small thing, but in a world full of obligations and stress, small joys matter.

If you're looking for a way to add a moment of mindful challenge to your morning routine, I can't recommend WordTry enough. It's everything I loved about crosswords, distilled into the perfect five-minute package.