Why did YOU start cubing?

[gpyl]

It was during one horrendously boring summer that I decided to learn how to solve the Rubik's Cube. I originally had a crappy replica but then I got an original Rubik's 3x3 and I thought it was wonderful. I went on and got the whole family of the Rubik's brand and learned how to solve them. Then I found out that the Rubik's were not one of the best cubes on the market. I was using the beginners method for almost a year. I was averaging one minute then. Then I saw fazrulz1's vids on Youtube and I realized that I was pathetic. Slowly I put my cubes aside. For one whole year I did not touch my cubes. Then, A Rubik's craze started at my school three weeks ago. I realized that I was not as bad as I thought! In fact, I am now one of the quickest cubers in my grade.

[BlackStahli]

...So the girl I used to like taught me how to solve a 3x3 in under a minute (LBL), but then I didn't get into speedcubing until one of my other friends brought a cube to school since he gets bored a lot. I decided to race him, and it kinda went on for a couple months, and then he just quit since he couldn't catch up to me . And I just went on from there.

[Zhanchi1]

mid april 2011, but the tutorial didnt work for me until early june
because i watched mystery guitar mans stop motion video, then 7x7 stop motion assembly, then i went to the store

[mchedlo213]

it happened in th summer of 2011,when i was in camp...
at that time i never really thought about such things,but when i saw that tehre were approximately 2-3 cubes aroudn the camp and my friend was learning how to sovle it,i got interested,so,then,step-by-step,i did learn it.
since then i kidna feel that this is and will be my hobby-like-stuff....

[nuclearbigdaddy]

About 4 months ago, someone sent me the World record solve video and thought, HEY, I want to do that. So that weekend, I went to target and bought (of Course) a Rubiks brand cube. That weekend, I tried and tried with videos but couldn't do it. Then I gave up for a few days. What inspired me to learn it was a kid at school ( the only one at school who can solve a cube) solved it for me. I was so impressed (and jealous) that I learnt to do it that night. The next few days, I used algorithms on a sheet to solve it, then, at school that Monday, I SOLVED IT OWN MY OWN!! Now I average 25 seconds with my method!

[ThtDarnNeighbor]

some kid at school solved it in 30 seconds

i borrowed his cube, messed it up and couldnt fix it

learned beginner's method in about 20 minutes and got down to sub 20 with cfop

now learning roux, approx sub 35 with it

[nuclearbigdaddy]

some kid at school solved it in 30 seconds

i borrowed his cube, messed it up and couldnt fix it

learned beginner's method in about 20 minutes and got down to sub 20 with cfop

now learning roux, approx sub 35 with it

What school do you go to?

[Charlemagne]

Prior to cubing I was (still am) an avid chess player (Expert 2190 rating). I was, unfortunately, hospitalized for several months undergoing (due to an accident) very painful surgeries and rehab and I could only move my lower arms and hands at one point. I had an interest in cubing back in the '80s but stopped. Anyway, while hospitalized I recalled my cubing days in the 80's and ask a family member to print some info from the Internet and bring it to me, along with a cube. I got the cube and read/studied one of the "beginner's methods." From that point forward I was hooked. Cubing, in a sense, saved me because helped me focus and not think of the painful treatment on the road to recovery and I spent all of my time practicing while in the hospital. After surgeries, cubing helped me, again, divert my mind from any negative thoughts and I began to set positive goals rather than thinking negative things. I learned the Fridrich method and, though I was limited in my physical movement, I learned and got to the point I could solve in 2 minutes. I know this is slow for most cubers but, considering my situation, I was happy and kept up with cubing after I was released from the hospital. Honestly, cubing helped me so much in a therapeutic sense that it became a life time pursuit. It helped me overcome depression, anxiety, fear and a host of other things that go with the uncertainties of long-term physical rehabilitation due to a traumatic accident. Non-cubers don't believe this but it is true. The cube's ability to help one focus and intensely concentrate was so important that, even today, a few years later, I can say that the Rubik's cube literally saved me mentally and emotionally. So, when I solve today, my goal is to improve to the best of my ability. I love chess, too, and always will. Yet, I cube daily and know that even if I am not a sub-20 solver, I enjoy cubing because there is always something new to learn. Many non-cubers think of it as a mere "toy." We know it is far more than that. For me, I still have to master the full Fridrich but I can say, thankfully, that I have time to do so. Time I might not have had, otherwise. Really, I believe cubing is therapeutic for those that have had accidents or are dealing with uncertainty, stress, anxiety and depression. Cubing is now part of my identity. Love it!

[RNewms27]

"Brilliant story"

I was always wondering whether or not a cube could help someone that way, whether it was physical disability or mental instability.

I enjoyed reading your story. I'm sure everyone on this forum will be glad to help you improve.

[Ross The Boss]

4 or so weeks ago i just picked up my old rubiks cube that i had since 2007 and decided to solve it. 2 weeks ago i got my average down to 1min 20sec, but then as i was about to get a about 1min solve my cube popped on the second last twist. i got so frustrated i throw it into my yard now i cant find the 2 edge and a corner.