[pinaholic]

Two in one day?! Apparently, yes. Apparently I'm feeling a bit deep today.

Anyways.

A while back I discovered this website called Pinterest, which I'm sure many of you are quite familiar with.

I decided just now that I'm doing a Pinterest fast for the next month. So from October 10- November 10, I won't be pinning nor will I be getting on Pinterest.

Why?

Image from here.

A number of reasons, really.

We'll start with the evolution of the site itself. It's still a wonderful tool for organizing recipes, craft projects, outfit inspiration, etc. But every time I go to kill a little time on Pinterest I end up on the "Popular" page. And every time I see multiple pins of people attacking each other over something someone pinned.

For example, today I was on Pinterest and spotted a pin with an atheist quote on it. I'm (obviously) not an atheist myself so I didn't repin or like it. I was about to just scroll over it when the comments caught my eye. Someone calling themselves a christian commented on the pin, attacking atheist beliefs. Naturally a debate ensued. Naturally Christians were referred to as illogical, stupid, unthinking, judgmental and close-minded. Naturally atheists were referred to as lonely, sad, cold, and unfeeling.

Why? Why do we do this to each other? Why do we attack each other's tattoo choices or religious beliefs or makeup options via social media like Pinterest?? Pinterest is supposed to be a digital cork board where people can collect things they want to remember or that inspire them or that they just plain like. That's the way it was when I first started using the site. Why the animosity?? It happens on the popular page constantly. Someone posts something pro-Jesus and a bunch of people comment about what crap Christianity is. Someone posts a picture of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart in American flag jackets and people get up in arms about how that's degrading to our military.

I could dedicate an entire post to this topic, but for now it's enough to say that this type of behavior is part of the reason I'm staying away from Pinterest for a little while. A small part, yes. But a part none the less.

Another part is the time-sucking factor. Has anyone else noticed the fact that it takes FOREVER to find the bottom of a page on Pinterest?? Not only that, there are so many categories of pins to browse that you could lose hours of sleep and productivity perusing pins. Okay maybe I've done that.

Image from here. 

Okay okay maybe I've done that more often than I care to admit. And that's a problem. I have other things I want to be doing. For example I say "I'll do a little writing when I finish looking at the women's fashion page of pins." An hour later and I'm just beginning to find the bottom of the page. It's time to get ready for bed and once again, I haven't done any writing.

Part three of my reason for giving up Pinterest temporarily is a bit more spiritual in nature. It can be boiled down to one word: envy. Sure I've lost weight but not enough to pull off that fabulous outfit I saw on Pinterest. Sure I've got a wonderful life here in Baltimore but it's not as good as it could be if I was living in one of those fabulous destinations on Pinterest. I'm not a good enough cook, neat enough housekeeper, or a creative decorator/crafter.

I don't feel necessarily envious of the people on Pinterest. It just makes what I have not seem like enough.

Image from here.

Yes it's good to have goals to strive towards. I'm striving to be a better financial steward. I'm striving to make healthier choices throughout the day. I'm striving to keep my home organized (okay that one's not as optional--when you don't have much storage space, things get messy fast if you're not on your game!). I'm striving to dress appropriately for different situations in my life and put my best face forward, so to speak.

But in all that striving it's important to not lose sight of what I've already been blessed with. Everyday I stick to my budget is a victory. No I can't afford a trip to Europe or those fabulous pumps yet, but I am getting there. Every Thursday I step on the scale and see a lower number is a victory. Every pair of pants that used to be too small but is now too big is a victory. Every risk I'm willing to take is a victory. Every night I go to bed and it doesn't look like a bomb went off in my place is a victory. I have wonderful friends. I live in a wonderfully fascinating city. I have a phenomenal, loving, supportive family. And two really really cute birds that actually do seem to like me :). I've made a meal plan for the month, bought all the food, cooked all the meals.


When you're constantly perusing Pinterest it's easy to forget all that.

And that's the biggest part of my decision to take a temporary leave of absence. I'm sure I'll be back; after all there are some really great recipes I want to try! But for now Pinterest and I must go our separate ways.

Oh Pinterest, I will miss you so!