Sometimes, the simplest things can completely blow our minds. That’s exactly what’s happening with a clever little riddle making its rounds across the internet. It starts with a strange instruction: close your eyes, think of the number 70, and then… magic happens.
At first, it sounds bizarre, maybe even a little silly. But when you dig a little deeper, you realize there’s something wonderfully clever hiding beneath the surface—something that taps into how our brains are wired to find meaning even in the simplest patterns.
Let’s take a closer look at this viral riddle and uncover why it’s leaving so many people amazed.
The Setup: A Simple Request
Here’s the basic idea: you’re asked to close your eyes and focus on the number 70. Then, when you open your eyes, you’re supposed to “see” something magical—something that was hidden in plain sight all along.
At first glance, it seems like nonsense. How can simply closing your eyes and thinking of a number reveal anything new? But as you’ll see, there’s more going on here than meets the eye (literally).
The trick is all about perception, focus, and how easily our minds can be nudged to see patterns we might otherwise overlook.
It’s All About Priming
Psychologists call this phenomenon priming. When you’re primed with a specific idea or number—like 70—your brain starts looking for connections.
In this case, when you close your eyes and think about 70, your brain subtly shifts focus. Then when you open your eyes and look around, you start to notice shapes, numbers, or patterns that you might have ignored before.
It’s not magic—it’s the incredible power of your subconscious at work.
The Secret Message Behind 70
But why 70 specifically? Here’s where it gets really interesting.
If you break down the number 70 visually, it’s made up of a 7 and a 0. Now, think about the shape of a 7—it has a sharp angle and a diagonal line. The 0 is a smooth, closed loop.
When you’re primed to think of 70 and then look around, your brain automatically starts picking up on angles and circles—patterns that resemble the number itself. Suddenly, everyday objects—a lamp, a doorknob, the corner of a book—might jump out at you in a new way.
Your mind pieces together fragments from your environment into a meaningful whole, all because of one simple suggestion.
Why This Simple Trick Feels So Magical
We’re wired to look for meaning, even when none is immediately obvious. This mental tendency is called pareidolia—our brain’s natural habit of seeing familiar patterns in random objects. (It’s the same reason people see faces in clouds or animals in the stars.)
When you’re told to think about 70, your brain goes on high alert to find it. You might not literally see the number 70 printed on the wall—but you might spot a street sign, a crack in the sidewalk, or a pair of shapes that, together, look surprisingly like a 7 and a 0.
It feels magical because it taps into a hidden layer of your mind—the part that’s always working quietly behind the scenes, connecting dots you didn’t even realize were there.
It’s Also a Reminder About Focus
There’s another beautiful lesson tucked inside this fun riddle: what you focus on grows.
When you concentrate on something—even something as random as a number—your awareness changes. You start to notice opportunities, patterns, and possibilities that were always around you but invisible until you shifted your mindset.
It’s the same principle that personal development coaches talk about when they encourage you to focus on gratitude, goals, or positivity. What you pay attention to shapes your experience of reality.
Try It Yourself
If you haven’t already, give it a try:
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Close your eyes for a few seconds.
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Picture the number 70 in your mind—see it clearly.
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Open your eyes and look around slowly.
Notice anything? You might catch glimpses of the number’s shape in unexpected places. You might start noticing patterns that your brain would normally filter out as “unimportant.”
It’s a fun little exercise—and a surprisingly powerful one.
Final Thoughts: The Magic Was Inside You All Along
At the end of the day, the “magic” isn’t in the number 70 or in closing your eyes. The magic is in your brain’s incredible ability to adapt, focus, and create connections.
This playful riddle reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful changes come from simply shifting our perspective. By focusing on something new—even something small—you can start to see your world in a completely different way.
Next time you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uninspired, remember: maybe all you need to do is close your eyes, think differently, and open your mind to new possibilities.
The real magic has always been right in front of you—you just needed a little nudge to see it.
