You're absolutely right! I came to the same conclusion after my first game jam - balancing showcase vs. smooth progression is really hard in a puzzle game. Since then, I’ve started intentionally keeping the difficulty more approachable. For jam entries, I want most players to be able to finish in one sitting, even if it means holding back a bit on the depth.
You did a great job capturing a compelling mechanic, and with a bit more breathing room post-jam, I can totally see it shining even brighter.