How else have I used it?
I have set up boards to display the muffin tin lunches I have made along with the crafts we have done.
I have posted visual links to ideas I have found on friends blogs that I want others to see.
I have made it my go to place to store links instead of having them in folders.
My Problem
I do have problem with Pinterest. A problem that I think some of you might have too.
When I look through all the pictures posted in Pinterest, I start to covet.
What is Coveting?
Coveting
1. to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property.
2. to wish for, especially eagerly: He won the prize they all coveted.
Why has it caused me to covet?
Perfect Homes
The houses on Pinterest have lovely furniture that has not become scarred by toys lawnmowers. The couch haven’t been torn when it has been used to build forts.
The children’s idea rooms are immaculate. All the toys are picked up and the beds are made.
Clothes
The pristine outfits haven’t been scrubbed with Shout and don’t have worn out knees from crawling on the floor while playing trains.
Those same outfits don’t look like they have been hanging in a closet for four years or more. Many of mine best articles of clothing are from the days when I worked outside the home four years ago.
Food
The dessert and casseroles are delectably perfect. They don’t appear to have been prepared by mom with a three year old standing on a stepstool trying to help.
The cookies are elegantly decorated with frosting used to create complicated and amazing designs.
Pinterest is a little like what the Sears Wish Books was like for me when I was little. It can make me wish for things that I don’t really need but, look wonderful.
Avoiding Coveting
I have to be careful to enjoy the things displayed on Pinterest for what they are. They are amazing ideas that I can enjoy and don’t have to have.
If it spurs on a new idea for using things I already have in new and different ways, it is a great thing. If I let it make me feel unhappy with all the wonderful things that I have been given it is a bad thing. I am the guard of my heart.
I have to make the choice to enjoy Pinterest but, not covet the items it displays.
This post is linked to Mrs. Matlock's Alphabe Thurday and Things I Can't Say's Pour Your Heart Out.
There are some BEAUTIFUL things on Pinterest, aren't there!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much use it to track projects I want to do with the kids, which doesn't lead to much coveting =)
I love Pinterest too. I never thought about it being coveting, but you are right about that. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteCute post! Love the Sears Wish Book analogy -- that is exactly what Pinterest is to me...just mostly things I hope to have one day (and if I win the lotto like I plan). It definitely is a reminder to me that I sometimes can have champagne taste on a beer budget! But, also, it's a great place for learning how to save, too, with all the DIY ideas :)
ReplyDeleteI get this way too. It makes me wonder "how does she do it all??" and then I feel inadequate. You're right to try and guard yourself from this. I need to do a better job of that.
ReplyDeleteI use it as more of a visual bookmark for activities I want to try with my kids, so I can avoid the "addiction" of it! When I see all those perfect pictures, I just remind myself that my life IS perfect the way it is with my kids...messy, dirty clothes, and less than stellar looking desserts! :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on Pinterest! I use it as a way to organize my bookmarks, essentially. If I ever let myself get too deep in a Pinterest search I can see how it could absolutely become coveting.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm more along the lines of seeing everything as entertainment. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! I see the outfits and home ideas that people pin and think oh, how I want that!
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm keeping my boards(for now) to things I think I can actually do and have!
I never thought of Pinterest this way. I use it as resource to gather ideas for crafts and learning activities for my tot and preschooler. But I do find it can be very addicting!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Criss-Cross Applesauce
I haven't gotten involved with Pinterest yet, but I love your take on it.
ReplyDelete=)
I think one thing that helps me to enjoy Pinterest is my tendency to stick with looking at things I could potentially create or have: recipes and simple crafts.
ReplyDeleteOOOH do I covet things I see on Pinterest! I look around my house and think "This is SO not Pinterest worthy - what a crap hole!" It doesn't help my relationship with my house...
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I have taken steps to actually *do* things I've pinned. So it really can be a positive influence... when I can stay realistic about my abilities and time!
I covet the clothes on Pinterest. Now if I just had a million dollars I could dress like the fashionista that I truly am!LOL
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I'm afraid our society was well into coveting way before Pinterest. It's what capitalism is based on, and it sells, keeps the economy going, creates jobs...whatever the current phrase is that justifies greed. Yep, I'm a cynic about anything that encourages greed. But hey! That doesn't mean you can't enjoy Pinterest. Just saying! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really have to check this out...so far I haven't but the reviews all seem to be raving it so it's time for me to check it out! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of being careful at what to wish for or what you want. It is so very easy to get all wrapped in those pretty things.
ReplyDeleteI have two photo's on pinterest but I forgot all about it
ReplyDeleteI coveted the same way when I started blogging. Everyone around me seemed to have creativity galore and their 3 year olds executed multi-step projects perfectly. My multi-step projects never got finished, so I stopped doing them. I also stopped forcing arts and crafts on my child when she wanted to play board games or cuddle or do math. My life was much better until... like you, I discovered Pinterest :)
ReplyDeleteI love the comparison to the Sears Wish Book. When I was a kid we would look at it endlessly, marking things we wanted...
ReplyDeleteI haven't been bit by the Pinterest bug yet, but is is only a matter of time!
I love Pinterest and like you say, covet.
ReplyDeleteI started to scale back on only pin things I think I will actually craft/make/create.
This was why I avoided Pinterest in the beginning. I didn't want to see all these items and start to want them. I have recently joined but I only really use it for drink recipes.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, you have words of wisdom! I have gone on pinterest three times now and walked away not feeling inspired but jealous or not crafty enough. I have to learn to find the inspiration in it.
ReplyDeleteI can see that becoming an issue...but at the very least, maybe you can search for things specifically, and try to avoid the home page?
ReplyDeleteI've heard that Pinterest can be addictive but I've not joined yet to find out.
ReplyDeleteYour take on it is very interesting.
I'm thinking I should check out Pinterest, Oh, and those clothes? They've never been worn by real people, you know!!
ReplyDeleteI'm finding that I have to watch the time I spend on pinterest... It can be a total time waster if I let it...ugh...as if I have time to waste...:)
ReplyDeleteDear Daniel's Mom,
ReplyDeleteJust wait till Daniel has grown up and moved out. Then you won't care anymore whatever Pinterest displays:)
So far I've managed to stay away from Pinterest. I don't need another distraction!
ReplyDeleteI bet things aren't as perfect as they appear. I know I often push all the clutter to one side on my kitchen counter when I take food pictures, ha ha.
Unfortunately this is new to me - must do some urgent research!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Have a good weekend and look forward to *seeing* you again soon.
I am smiling because I so understand. I have been on Pinterest for awhile now. I try to stay off of it but every once in awhile I go take a look at all the new stuff. I am loving all the recipes now.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I so get this. I feel the same way. I covet almost everything I see on Pinterest, esp the home decor stuff. We're in the process of adding on to our home and when I see playroom ideas, I get all excited and then my husband reminds me that we can't afford all that nice stuff. And I'm not that creative to do it myself.
ReplyDeleteSo I just sit there and wish and dream...and wish and dream....
You just nailed it! I was thinking of it after I browsed around Pinterest. Yes the pictures are all pretty but I want the real thing!!! That is why I didn't go much with Pinterest, rather I brows a lot of my blog friends and look for crafts, table arrangement, recipes because for me that is the real thing.
ReplyDeleteThe words " I am the guard of my heart" is an awesome quote from you, my hair stand up hahaha, just so true. Thanks for the visit and a new follower here.
I love Pinterest... but I do not think that I covet... I do however pin things that I want to try to recreate one day... maybe not exactly, but at least to use for inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI just registered, but have not explored yet. Interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI can see how Pinterest can lead to coveting. However, it has been very inspiring for me as well. It has shown me photos and links to websites that I wouldn't otherwise have seen.
ReplyDeleteI think that may be why I don't bother following the boards people have for vacations, homes, clothes, etc. No point in gathering pics of things I have no hope of having. Instead I use it for ideas for teaching my kids, recipes I would like to try (or give me an idea for adapting something we already make), and craft/sewing projects. Things that are more realistic. There's enough to keep me busy without adding the impossible! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel...pinterest is taking up way too much of my time...I Love It....
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I find I covet other's food...as well as their beautiful photos! It's hard to stop pintresting once you've gotten started!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! I think if 97% of us took pictures of our homes or our dinners they would not look like that. Well maybe lower than that, but my home doesn't look like those homes. So yes, Pintrest is a wonderful/dangerous thing
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! Well said!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by, leaving such a sweet comment and for joining my blog!
ReplyDeleteI love your place and am now following you too. :) Nice to meet you!
Oh I do want to make my daughters room like those I've seen on pinterest. But to be realistic they will never be close because I don't have money, time, or the ability to create such a masterpiece. So I pin them and look at them as works of art. 8-)
ReplyDelete-Veronica
I miss the Wishbook from my childhood.
ReplyDelete:-)
I so hear your heart and can relate. There is a beauty in messy homes and grass-stained knees where there is love and contentment that cannot be found anywhere else. I like Pinterest a lot too. This is a good cautionary word.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that some of the things on Pinterest are totally idealized, while what you are experiencing is REAL LIFE (note the capital letters). Real life is messy and almost never turns out like you want or expect, but it is where important lessons are learned and lasting memories are made. My preference: real life every time!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I am the last of the dinosaurs - never go near Pinterest. I don't know where I'd find a minute more - I can get lost in blogs and go through half a Saturday before I know it. I'm resisting!
ReplyDeleteI too have resisted Pinterest.....
ReplyDeleteI say look and drool all you want, just remember the things you can touch, smell, hug and smooch are the important ones. And they're all yours:)
This is exactly why I've never done anything with Pinterest. Because I know I won't be able to stop!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I've never done anything with Pinterest. Because I know I won't be able to stop!
ReplyDeleteI've been avoiding Pinning. I'm afraid. I think it would take up even more of my time and then I'd have to give up something important, like sleeping...or watching silly shows on TV!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading that everyone really loves it, though, but I'm still judiciously avoiding it!
But I still covet plenty when I visit cool blogs!
Thanks for linking! I think you're perfect all on your own, though, sweetie. I suspect that many COVET you!
Hugs and A+