Saturday, March 10, 2012

What I Do on Pinterest

I bookmark my favorite ideas that I find online.  That's it. 

I don't usually spend time looking at other people's pinboards (cool as they probably are), nor do I usually re-pin things that surface when I first login to the site.  I could disappear down the internet rabbit hole!

I am seriously concerned about my screen-time and the effect it has on the people around me, who need me here with them.  It's much more fun to be flitting through cyberspace, but it's a habit I know I would regret if my relationships in real time wither.  We don't have a TV, right, but the computer comes to almost the same thing in our life sometimes.  Crazy.

However, Pinterest is great for organizing the ideas I come across.  So I'm on it, but I'm not evangelizing you to get on and follow me unless you want to (see the button, for your convenience, in my sidebar).

Are you on Pinterest?  Why or why not? (And did you know that Pinterest members are 80% women?)

16 comments:

You Can Call Me Jane said...

I've resisted joining because of the time-suck potential I see in it. Using how you are, however, seems doable. Hmmm....

Lisa said...

I am also resisting it - blogging keeps me in front of the screen more than I'd like anyway. Although, the online community is important, too. It's all a matter of balance, like everything.
I really can't join Pinterest, anyhow - I'm not on Facebook or Twitter - I'm really resisting all of that.

But I do clip lots of "inspiration" from magazines, so it isn't like I'm not collecting ideas at all.

Jennifer Jo said...

It was a big deal for me at first, but now I've mostly forgotten it. I get on it about once a week, maybe not even that.

Unknown said...

I can't do pinterest because I'm not on facebook, and it's not worth it to do one for the other ; )

Mary Ann said...

I mostly use it for bookmarking as well. Love it!

Tracy said...

I'm on, as you know, but I use it for mostly the same purposes you do. I confess, I take a peek if I'm waiting somewhere, say in an office waiting for an appointment. Since there's an app for the iPhone, it's a way to pass the time.

Sew Blessed Maw [Judy] said...

I just recently got on it [my daughter insisted, that it was soo much fun,ha]. I havent done very much.. But...
I spend too much time already on the computer, with reading all the blogs. Which I really enjoy. But, I dont want to go overboard with the computer, and miss out on family time.
Great topic.

Deanna Beth said...

I'm on. Somebody on Facebook recently asked, "what is the purpose of Pintrest?" Another friend said it was Internet-Sanctioned covetousness. I don't really use it to collect ideas for projects...I already have too many and I would just feel badly about not completing them. I think I just collect beauty.

Deanna Beth said...

I don't see any button.

Deanna Beth said...

Oh, you mean the bright red button? Never mind.

Beth said...

I have only ever glanced at Pinterest's home page. I'm way behind the culture...don't do facebook or anything either.

I'm nervous about being sucked into spending too much time and mental energy, especially with something like facebook...

Interesting post and question!

Polly said...

Mmmmm. I finally signed up for it a few months ago. At first I only used the app on my mobile device while putting Annie to sleep--and with that you can only repin what others have pinned. Most of my friends were pinning things like crafts or recipes and that is not what I'm interested in looking at on the computer. My main focus with pininterest is actually my house--gearing up for a major basement renovation (cold sweat just thinking about it, trying to figure out the design, eek)--I pin ideas I see online so that I have the visuals all in one place. It is SO helpful because I am a very visual person. I love being able to look at the photos and revisit ideas as I try to sit and plan. Obsess. I mean, plan. :)

In general I am stingy with internet time, or at least I try to be. It's such a black hole!!!

BLD in MT said...

I'm like you. I have boards of my own, but I don't follow or browse others. I just use it to save links (like to the post you did about seasoning and cleaning cast iron) for my easy future reference. Is like bookmarking it on my computer, but with a visual clue that I find quite helpful when I am looking for a particular link.

Someday I am going to not have a TV. But, for now it has at least been relegated to the basement...out of sight, out of mind...mostly. How long have you been sans TV?

BLD in MT said...

Also I meant to add that I had never thought of it before, but I am not surprised the majority of Pintrest users would be women. I know many people who use it. I see many people on the site at the library. And of all those folks I've never seen a single man using it. That is interesting.

Sarah Barry said...

I am on Pinterest for many of the same reasons as you. Though I do get sucked in.

Recently, I have been cutting back on my screen time and Pinterest is one of the first sites to go. I like it, but I prefer to read/write blogs and stay caught up on my e-mail.

So yeah, I pop in on Pinterest a few times a week, pin stuff I like, then forget about it for a few days.

Margo said...

BLD, sorry I missed your earlier question about TV! My husband and I never got a TV when we moved out of our respective houses and went to college. We had room mates who had TVs. When we got married and set up our own house, we just didn't bother getting one. And later when it became easier to watch movies with a computer, we were satisfied to do just that. My husband grew up with a TV and I did not. My parents got a TV when I was in college.