Disclaimer: While I express my genuine enthusiasm for Pinterest and its ability to inspire creativity and self-awareness, I want to clarify that my positive sentiments are based solely on personal experience and appreciation. I have no financial interest or personal relationship with Pinterest. My views are an honest reflection of how the platform has positively impacted my journey and my passion for vintage and sustainable fashion.
The Social Media Pressure Cooker
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of social media? Disenchanted with many of those platforms’ policies regarding misinformation? Yearning for a creative getaway but sick of the infinite scroll? You are not flying solo! I find myself increasingly drawn back to a platform I once underestimated: Pinterest.
Unlocking Pinterest's Potential for Self-Discovery
I once thought Pinterest was mostly a place to look up recipes and home decor ideas, but I was pleasantly surprised to find all sorts of inspiration. I have found that Pinterest can actually be a powerful tool for self-discovery, creativity, and finding a little peace in a chaotic world. Some claim it’s gone stale with old pins popping up, but vintage lovers like me say, “Bring it on!” Pin enough, and you won't see the stale material because of how you've trained the algorithm.
Pinterest encourages exploration and inspiration, free from the comparison game.
The Positive Power of Pinterest: Backed by Research
In a world saturated with negativity, Pinterest stands out as a curated haven for positivity and inspiration. It's a place to dream, plan, and get motivated—without the pressure of likes, comments and the relentless pursuit of perfection. This impression isn’t just anecdotal. Research from Pinterest and UC Berkeley actually suggests that using Pinterest can buffer against stress and burnout. The study showed that a whopping 90% of users describe Pinterest as an 'oasis,' and 80% use it to feel positive. These numbers speak to the platform's unique ability to foster well-being. Unlike platforms often driven by comparison and competition, Pinterest encourages exploration and inspiration. It's about discovering what you love, not what's popular.
A Different Kind of Social Space
Importantly, Pinterest actively combats misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information through its community guidelines and content moderation policies.
And there are some great new features to check out. Did you know that Pinterest offers options for inclusivity, such as women's fashion and wedding ideas that can be further filtered based on body type preferences, promoting body positivity? Have you explored Pinterest Predicts—the “not-yet-trending report”? These prognostications are based on Pinterest search data. I’m all in for “Cherry Coded”—a dark cherry red perfect for the vintage fashion lover. And have you seen the new collaging capabilities? It's like having a digital scrapbook, and it brings back my childhood memories of putting together cut-out items. Behind the scenes, somebody is thinking about how Pinterest can do more of what it excels at.
Wander and Wonder: The Art of Intentional Pinning
One of the best ways to tap into Pinterest's potential is to just let yourself roam. Embrace the serendipity! Follow your interests, wherever they may lead. Click on pins that spark your curiosity, even if you're not sure why. You might start with a pin about decluttering and end up discovering a whole community dedicated to zero-waste living. Or a simple plant-based recipe might ignite a passion for vegan cooking.
While you wander, don't be afraid to stray from your original path. The point is to explore and discover what resonates with you. If a board or an idea no longer feels right, simply delete it and move on. There's no pressure to commit.
Mood Boards: Visualizing Your Inner World
Pinterest shines as a tool for creating mood boards—visual representations of your thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. These boards aren't just pretty collections of images; they're powerful tools for self-reflection. By curating images, quotes, color palettes, and even textures that resonate with you, you can begin to understand what's truly important to you, what emotions you're processing, and what direction you want to move in. It's like creating a visual diary of your inner world.
Feeling stuck in a style rut? Whip up a mood board to explore fresh aesthetics and redefine your look. Maybe you are considering a career switch? Create a board filled with dream jobs, inspiring quotes, and skills you want to conquer. Struggling with mental health? My Keeping Perspective board has helped me cope. Feeling shy about sensitive topics? Create secret boards to explore them without judgment—your private sanctuary.
I regularly create secret boards that help me find my focus for various projects. I envisioned the cover of my book by gathering images that best expressed the content. A whole chapter fell into place when I found images of people who excel at mixing vintage from different eras, combining vintage with modern styles, and wearing vintage in creative ways.
When I was a key point person for the Vintage Fashion Guild’s website redesign, I offered the designers boards of images that conveyed the qualities that make the VFG a special destination online.
The beauty of a mood board is that it's completely customizable. There's no right or wrong way to create one. It's all about expressing yourself and exploring your inner world.
SO, What’s the catch?
No, I'm not being paid by Pinterest, and I'll prove it by acknowledging that I'm not always thrilled with the ads that pop up. I don't begrudge commerce, but I do wish Pinterest would focus on ads that are more aligned with my search interests and are ethically made. And yes, I have to use a timer to remind me to stop scrolling! The temptation to dive deep down those rabbit holes is real. So, while Pinterest isn't perfect, its unique blend of inspiration and self-discovery makes it a worthwhile oasis in the digital landscape.
I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours
Some, not all…
I have Pinterest boards highlighting vintage fashion photographers, styles by month, vintage fashion designers and favorite years in fashion (you might be surprised!). I’ve compiled a treasure trove of references in my Make Do and Mend board. There are fashions featuring print mixing, complementary colors, cars, cats, lips, music, hearts, hats, gloves, shoes, buttons, bags, collars, polka dots and sparkle. Manatees, bears, vintage ads—my boards are bursting with things that make me smile. But my favorites? Just Want to Have Fun (what it sounds like), Look Likes (my style) and Modern Vintage Style Inspiration (how to rock vintage IRL).
Embrace the Pinterest Oasis
In a world that often feels overwhelming, Pinterest offers a valuable space for self-reflection, creative exploration, and personal growth. It's a place where you can connect with your inner self, discover your passions, and cultivate a sense of well-being. The next time you're feeling lost, uninspired, or simply in need of a little creative escape, consider turning (or returning) to this haven of quiet dreamers. Start a board focused on what makes you feel joyful and relaxed and see how it impacts your mood; it might just be the creative oasis you need.