(Mostly) Doing away with Pinterest - YouLookFab Forum

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(Mostly) Doing away with Pinterest

Astrid

Veteran

I'm thinking about deleting most of my Pinterest stuff, because

(a) it's kind of addicting and takes a lot of my time.
(b) I'm not really going back to look at my pins anyway.
(c) Irene's post made me think that I'm doing just the same, repinning from some Tumblr without being able to give any credit.

I haven't done it yet, because I find the thought of deleting something I spent so much time on difficult. But that's really silly, because they're only pictures I'm not looking at anyway. I thought of curating it down a lot, that way it might even be useful again.

Can you relate to that?

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Halo

Thistle

Veteran

I never really started on Pininterest as I just didn't have the time.

My thoughts: rather than delete it, can you just tell yourself you are not going to visit it for a week? Then two? If after 2 weeks you don't miss it, and you like your time back, I say delete away.

It's sort of like a holding pile

Astrid

Veteran

Love the holding pile comparison.

Irene

Veteran

Astrid, I don't know much about Pinterest but as I understand, every image goes with a link to the original source (or the source you got it from, anyways). I think Pinterest is ok, but I do agree that many times the source doesn't meet the author, and there's a problem. Not your fault though.

amiable

Veteran

I do look back at my pins, for outfit inspiration, gift inspiration, etc. So in some ways, I'm using pinterest differently than you are.

Peri

Veteran

I just started on Pinterest but I can see how it could be addicting. I don't spend much time on it, but I'm more just doing it for something pretty to look at. I had no intention to make it useful. For instance, I have a page of cute baby animals for when I want to be cheered up. Another of beautiful landscapes when I want to be soothed. I think of it like a coffee table book I made myself. That's all.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Interesting! I haven't gotten into Pinterest that much. I finally did create some boards, as places to put ideas for projects. I created a board for purses, for example, when I was trying to find just the right everyday purse. And I created a board for haircuts when I was thinking about a change in my hairstyle. I have boards for clothing items that I think I might want to use as sewing inspiration, but I rarely look at them.

Astrid

Veteran

Irene, people often don't pin from the original source but some other place that doesn't credit where the picture is from, so you do have a link but it's not really worth much. It's part of the reason, but not the main reason.

Amiable, I don't use it like that at all. It was helpful to determine my style goals and direction, but I don't think I need that anymore. I think I know enough about myself now to make decisions based more on my gut feeling.

Peri, that makes sense. I don't want to delete the whole account, I just want to use it differently, if that makes sense.

Firecracker, I do think it's useful for decision making and I plan to keep pinning stock pics of things I'm interested in, for example. Just to keep an overview.

t

I totally understand. I only peruse pinterest on my phone. I don't usually pin anything, but I do take screen captures on my iPhone. I like to re-create outfits and this seems the best way to access what I need. In fact, just today I made an album on my phone of just outfits that I like.

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

I can go weeks without checking pintrest. I don't just use it for fashion though. I use my recipe board fairly frequently. I also like to use pintrest for trip planning. I do try to keep a running shopping list of realistic pieces for the season. Something about the visuals stay in my head better and I always have the link. That being said, I try to get to the original source.

MRL

Veteran

I haven't been on my Pinterest in months. (can't even remember my password- I hope I have it somewhere ). I just lost interest and like you never really went back to any of my pins. Nothing against Pinterest, I guess it just isn't for me.

deb

Veteran

I use Pinterest as a file cabinet mostly. Instead of tearing out pictures in magazines I like I just pin stuff. It has come in handy for when My kisd want something. My daughter will tell me she is looking for a specific item and if I run across it I pin it to her file. She is able to review when she has the time. I also use it for my gardening, especially when new cultivars come out. I pin them, wait to see how they perform before I purchase.

Astrid

Veteran

T, I do think it's great for inspiration, but only if you don't have too many images and if they are really relevant. It's difficult to weed those out.

MRL, good for you to try and and then decide it isn't for you.

Thanks Deb! I've decided to start using it more like that too, pinning stuff that's relevant to me or that I could really buy. And some outfits, but only ones that are really relevant.

ramya

Veteran

It's like my bookmarks, like the recipes I want to try, or dress I want to recreate, or the web site that gave me tips about place I want to visit.I don't think I keep anything other than that

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ramya. Comparing it with bookmarks is a good idea, I will definitely continue to use it like that. I already deleted a lot, here's the pared down version http://www.pinterest.com/ridrin.

ramya

Veteran

Actually Astrid, if we are minimalists at heart any clutter gives a headache :D. Be it online or wardrobe

Astrid

Veteran

So true.

Jules

Veteran

Filing cabinet - great analogy! I have a bunch of interior design pins and those I do refer back to and analyze for trends etc. Home projects move slowly for me so it works to refresh my memory. In fact, when I finally got my stair runner redone (3 years after first walking into the shop for a quote), I used a pin I'd done a year before. It was the most expensive (wide trim) option and the man was clearly surprised I went for it, but having and admiring that pin for so long, I knew exactly what I wanted. Confidence in my choices is something I struggle with.
It doesn't work for fashion for me - overstimulation and the seasons pass so quickly. Ylf is my main inspiration/repository/'filing cabinet'.
I try not to pin personal works when I don't think the creator would appreciate it. But if I pin an mosaic (a hobby/interest of mine) or a purse by a local mom with an etsy shop, with links back, I'm only publicizing the artisan's work, right? I'm not making excuses, I truly try to be consciously aware of what I'm pinning.

Lynne

Veteran

I vote keep if it's working for you :). I like the holding pile analogy.

I quite enjoy going back and editting my boards; I like seeing how my tastes have changed with the things I delete and how the things that still delight me obviously relate to my core style.

Strictly FWIW, as I am a keeper rather than a minimalist :).

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Jules! It's great that it did help you decide what you wanted and be confident in that choice. I think for me pinning was helpful to get to know my likes and dislikes, but I feel like I have a better feel for that now. I'm going to try pinning more consciously in the future.

Thanks Lynne! I think I like the way it is now. And you're right, editing and getting to know which pins stay in the long run is really interesting!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm still enjoying Pinterest, although I have to limit my time. I use it as a reward for completing a undesirable task and treat it as my digital magazine. I've found amazing recipes that have refreshed my family's menu and helped us eat more amazing yummy salads and soups (OK -- and fancy cupcakes.).
I have a fitness board that lets me refresh my workouts at a quick glance, and I've used my home tips board to reduce the amount of chemicals I use to clean my house and replace them with simpler solutions.

My fashion and "home" boards are used to fine tune my style eye. I pin whatever interests me, and then, one a month or so, I browse my board quickly, deleting what no longer represents me. What colors am I pinning often? What silhouettes? Recently, I realized that I have a strong pull toward real vintage pins -- 1900-1955, and these elements are mostly missing from my wardrobe. I'm on the hunt for fuller spring skirts, soft/crisp, slightly oversized blouses, and rich, classic fabrics.

E

Veteran

I've yet to get into Pinterest, although I've looked at other people's Pinterest pages (including yours!). But I really don't care for how you just have to scroll through the images on big boards, rather like some tumblr blogs, without any extra structure/organisation (vs traditional blogs, with 'pages' and archives and such). So I understand why you'd want to pare down.

While I love looking at photographs, I think I hit my visual saturation point fairly quickly, so I prefer being inspired by blog posts with just a few photos at a time.

ETA: I *love* your new boards! I'll take one of everything on the clothes & shoes boards, please.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Beth Ann! Pinning anything interesting and then culling while analyzing is great - if you have the patience for it. Treating it as a reward is a good idea to limit the time, I often wondered were the time was gone after some browsing around.

Thanks E! And yes, that's exactly it. If you don't break it up into a lot of boards you quickly have this huge page and I didn't really scroll to the start anymore because it's just not practical. I thought dividing them up like I've done now should work better for keeping everything in sight and the boards small (with regular culling). Oh and glad you like them!

christieanne

Veteran

I use it like a file cabinet or bookmarks now as well. I used to cut out images from magazines/etc. and now I lean towards pinterest for that purpose. It's addictive at first but I find I don't go on thee for a week at a time and then I will find something to spark my interest. Have discovered good blogs via pins/links. You don't need to feel bad about not posting or "maintaining" as it will be there for a long time just as you left it.

Halo

I felt the same about mine a little while ago. I went through my boards and deleted all pins I didn't really love, and it really helped me to 'distill' my style, if that makes sense.
I don't use it as much now, but do find it handy for keeping a wish list of items that I want to stalk into the sale (as I have a direct link that way and can choose which of similar items I prefer).
I also deleted some boards and reorganised others so that they are more of a storage space than something to get caught up for hours in, plus unfollowing a lot of people helped. I only go on occasionally now to look for something specific or compare items.