June Creator of the Month: Kent
When Kent retired from his career as a psychiatric nurse in 2023, he understood the importance of staying curious. As an award-winning psychiatric nurse with decades of experience in mental health, Kent naturally approaches creativity through the lens of wellness. His background has shaped how he views hobbies. He sees his involvement with art and creativity not simply as a way to pass the time, but also as a tool to support brain health and emotional well-being.
After retirement, Kent discovered Crafters for a Cause with the BC Brain Wellness Program, a creative community where members explore different forms of artistic expression. Although Kent was hesitant at first, he quickly realized that creativity isn’t limited to painting or knitting. His art takes shape one puzzle piece at a time. He enjoys creating with paper.
For Kent, completing a puzzle exercises far more than patience. He describes a list of improvements he has noticed, ranging from visual pattern recognition and critical thinking to better short-term memory and faster mental processing speed. Beyond these cognitive benefits, puzzles also bring him a sense of peace, promoting a low-stress mindset.
One of the greatest benefits puzzles offer Kent is something perhaps many of us search for: a break from constant screens. While working on a puzzle, he often listens to jazz music. He sets his phone aside and allows himself to become fully immersed in the experience. Unlike many puzzlers who organize pieces by colours, Kent embraces a different approach. He spreads them all out and, piece by piece, he looks at the pattern. The chaos of pieces scattered across the table, as they slowly transform into a beautiful picture, provides sparks of satisfaction and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Every piece requires observation, trial and error, and open-mindedness when a strategy doesn’t work. For Kent, that uninterrupted focus creates space for mindfulness, relaxation, and reflection.
Kent is dedicated to supporting a variety of causes through his art. His love of puzzles extends to the companies he supports. He often purchases puzzles from businesses that share his values, including women-owned companies and organizations that support LGBTQ+ communities. Retirement has also allowed Kent to volunteer more in his community. He supports organizations including Backpack Buddies, Friends for Life, and several community wellness initiatives. He writes wellness articles for seniors, sharing resources about healthy aging, and promotes activities that support mental, physical, and social well-being.
Kent stays curious and is always willing to try other forms of art. Other than puzzling, he doodles, journals, and has tried sewing and pottery. Kent encourages others to embrace creativity without fear. He reminds us that wellness doesn’t always come from grand gestures. Sometimes it begins with a single piece of puzzle.
“Cultivate wonder. Ask yourself different questions. Force your brain to go down a path you might not be comfortable with.” -- Robert Kent DesRochers