Everyone else is asleep, but here I am sitting at the table again. Today, instead of a book, I was opening a bag of LEGO pieces the size of my palm.

Was it around two in the morning? I was fitting a small green brick, and the click sounded unusually loud. At that moment, the worries about deadlines that had been spinning in my head briefly stopped.

Honestly, at first, I felt a bit embarrassed. It felt strange for an adult to be playing with LEGO alone.

But it turns out I'm not the only one. I found a report called the Play Well 2022 report from the LEGO Group, which surveyed 33,429 people aged 18 and older across 33 markets from February to March 2022.

According to this, 93% of respondents said they often feel stressed. 80% said they are looking for new ways to relax.

58% reported that they have less than an hour of relaxation time each day, and 55% said that simply switching off is difficult. Seeing these numbers was oddly comforting. It made me realize that everyone is struggling in a similar way.

87% said that play helps them feel calm and relaxed. 86% said it helps them unwind from work.

However, it's important to note that this survey was conducted by LEGO itself. It's not a scientifically proven study that shows LEGO reduces stress.

Still, from my experience, the reasons are quite clear. When my hands are busy, my thoughts decrease. While choosing the colors of the pieces and aligning them, there's little room for worries to creep in.

I once read in a book that people lose their sense of time when they are completely absorbed in something. When I look at the clock while building with LEGO, an hour has flown by, and I think that's close to that state.

The instructions show only one step at a time. Life is uncertain because we can't see the next step, but here, I can just follow the pictures and fit the pieces one by one, which is reassuring.

It's also nice that if I make a mistake, I can just take it out and put it back in. Having mistakes that can be undone is a great comfort to me these days.

And there's a definite end. After a few hours, something completed is left in front of me. Since my work often feels ambiguous about whether it's finished or not, I really appreciate this clear conclusion.

In that survey, 78% said they find creative or hands-on activities more satisfying than passive ones. Thinking about the emptiness of scrolling on my phone all night makes me nod in agreement.

So what should you buy first? I would recommend the Botanical line, which is a flower series.

The least intimidating option is the Mini Orchid (10343). It has 274 pieces, is for ages 18 and up, and the US retail price was $29.99.

These days, prices vary slightly by retailer. Be sure to compare the LEGO official store and large online retailers before purchasing.

This set is small enough to finish in about an hour, making it perfect for a taste test. I think it would be great to start and finish an experience in one night.

If you want to immerse yourself a bit more, there's the Peace Lily (11504). It has 474 pieces, is for ages 18 and up, and the US retail price is $49.99.

Once completed, it becomes a pot that stands over 12 inches tall. It's a plant that doesn't die without water, which is a huge advantage for someone like me who tends to kill plants.

If flowers aren't your thing, you can choose a series based on your favorite movie or building. Ultimately, what keeps you engaged until the end is the affection for the pieces rather than the number of them.

As the end of the year approaches, some may be thinking about gifts. If you match the recipient's taste well, I think it's a gift that conveys a message to spend quiet time alone.

I would advise against starting with a large set of over a thousand pieces. If you get tired halfway through and put it back in the box, it becomes another task.

If you want to see and buy in person, there's only one official LEGO store at the Oxmoor Center in Louisville, Kentucky. It's quite a drive from Lexington.

Instead, there's a store called Bricks & Minifigs on Nicholasville Road in Lexington. It's a place to buy, sell, and trade new and used LEGO sets, individual pieces, and minifigures.

Be sure to check the contents of used sets, as some pieces may be missing. It's also a good idea to check the business hours before you go.

One more tip: make sure to lay down a tray or a wide plate. If a small brick rolls onto the floor in the early morning, searching for it can ruin your peace of mind.

It's also important to open only one bag at a time according to the bag numbers. If you dump everything out at once, you'll get tired of sorting. A bright lamp is sufficient for lighting, and it makes it much easier to distinguish similar colored pieces.

And remember to know when to stop for the day. If you set a deadline for something you started to relax, it becomes work instead of a hobby.

The sky outside is gradually turning blue. On the table, there's a half-bloomed flower sitting.

If you've been feeling like your mind is wandering lately, I hope you'll open a small box. There are nights when a single click can help you breathe a little easier.