Yessum. Pinch of Yum is now on Pinterest! And now you’re all like, um, why weren’t you on Pinterest before? Let’s talk.
Remember when Pinterest became a thing?
I don’t really, because I think it had long since become a thing when I first heard of it. People were giddy about it, I was clueless, and I came to realize that I was living under a rock. Or under a blog. Or under/inside a giant chocolate chip cookie stuffed with gooey salted caramel.
Readers and friends often ask me why I’m not on Pinterest. They say lots of things, like you would like it, or it would be good for your blog, or just plain old you’re, um, weird. I sort of had an explanation about it on my Frequently Asked Questions page being that it was, in fact, a frequently asked question. But I think people were still confused.
It’s one of those things that I don’t really need to write a post about, but I just feel like I want to be heard and understood before doing a fashionably late swan dive into the Pinterest pool. Kapish? Thank you.
Why I Didn’t Use Pinterest Before
It has been a very conscious decision on my part not to use Pinterest up to this point. Initially I was worried about it taking up so much time, much like any and all other social media and/or things in general in life. I already feel like every day there are so many valuable ways to spend my time, and I barely even scratch the surface with truly making the most of each day. Plus I consistently struggle to maintain deep, quality focus on important things. So why add another shallow-thinking distraction? That was reason #1.
As time went on and I started to peek at Pinterest from time to time and hear friends talk about it, I started to get this resistant feeling towards it that went deeper than just the time and distraction thing. I had (have?) this fear of being just another female American blogger that was spending hours pinning pictures of magaziney kitchens, cute bags, and pug puppies. I mean no disrespect towards anyone who has ever pinned a cute bag. Please. I love cute bags and don’t hear me wrong. Knowing myself, I just had this feeling that instead of being uplifted by all the crafty ideas and shiny things, that I would get pulled into a downward spiral of discontentment. I worried that it would fuel my love for things that don’t matter in this life and lessen my happiness with my own clothes, my own house, my lack of homemade soaps.
Throw into the mix a year-long move to the Philippines and a new reality amongst all-encompassing poverty. The tension between these two worlds reached a peak in my heart, and weirdly enough, I felt both the resistance to stay away and the pull to join stronger than ever. And this has been my battle.
Because I always have to make everything more serious than it is, now you know my heart-deep reason for not using Pinterest up until this point. I know this is all a little whoaaa and ushy-gushy, so thank you for just hearing me out. That’s what good friends do, which you are. ♥
Why I Changed My Mind
First of all, you’re all there and I want to be where you are. Simple.
Secondly, it’s the number one source of traffic for Pinch of Yum, after Google. I need to learn how to make the most of this incredible system of social sharing. Like, wow.
Thirdly and nitty-gritty, I am working with an agency that arranges for sponsorships and it was really hard for them to include me for sponsorships without having an active Pinterest account. Bum. And because we have chosen to use Pinch of Yum as a case study in how to make money with a food blog, it’s super important to me that I do what I can to open those doors. I had my stubborn moment and now I’m okay with it. This is the path we’ve chosen, so let’s embrace it.
Lastly, I have supergood friends that are helping me so it might be a tiny bit fun.
This is my best friend Angela.
Ang 1) is adorable 2) is a pro at balancing the fun of Pinterest with the important things in life 3) is helping me develop and manage the Pinch of Yum Pinterest account so that I don’t go running back to my hermit home inside the chocolate chip cookie with the gooey salted caramel. Ang is the best and I know you love her already. But remember, I loved her first.
I’m still hesitant about all the things that I mentioned before that I imagine come along with using the Big P. But I’m making intentional decisions about my time, and trusting that even though I have boards with magaziney kitchens and cute bags pinned to them, I can still seek God to grow a passion in my heart for what’s most important in this life. Like showing love to these sweet ones in the Philippines and around the world, juuust as a perfect example.
So now you know. Pinch of Yum has an active account on Pinterest. I’ll see you there!
PS. If you are planning to follow or already DID follow (muah), hop on over to enter to win this best-ever cookbook as a bonus! You have until Thursday!
Thank you for letting me say this. Yer da bomb.
Pretty sure it’s you who is the bomb, girl. Good on you for making a conscious decision as to whether or not to fall down the rabbit hole of Pinterest- it can be not only time destroying, but one of those places that can make one feel as though their own life is sometimes not good enough, and that’s, um- not good. It has to be taken with a grain of salt, like all social media, I believe!
All that being said, I’m excited to see the stuff you pin 🙂
#1. I am super happy that you are on pinterst now. 🙂 #2. I can totally understand why you didn’t do it earlier. 😉
Soooo…I am that 1 other person in the world who stays away from Pinterest. I hate it, it overwhelms me and makes me realize all the stuff I don’t have rather than inspiring me. Now the one other person I “knew” not on it (you) has succumbed! gah! Maybe it’s time I re-evaluate too. Maybe…
Oh no!!!! argh! I’m with you in spirit.
Hi may name is Jodi. There now that we have made our introductions you know another person who is not on Pinterest:)
Hey Jodi! And look – you’re doing just fine, right? 🙂
I have been on Pinterest since the beginning and about six months ago, did away with boards that brought on that whole discontentment thing for me. Now it’s mostly dedicated to food, with a little DIY thrown in there and I’m much happier. I even unfollow many boards that are full of home decor and fashion pins because I just find myself wanting what I don’t have instead of being content and grateful with what I do have. I totally applaud you for sticking to your guns and waiting so long.
So interesting to hear your thoughts. Thanks Cassie! XO
I totally understand what you’re saying. At times, I definitely feel a pull away from the virtue of detachment that I try to nurture (“Oooo…I NEED a scarf that looks like that! and boots that look like that! etc, etc…” 🙂 ), but I also love using Pinterest as a quick way to organize inspirations for house and wardrobe, helpful life short cuts, and my favorite recipes. At this point, I have tons of pins, but (usually) only spend a couple minutes browsing per day. I’m sure you’ll be able to maintain a balance! Looking forward to following you! 🙂
I always find it amusing when people find Pinterest to be a huge time suck (or don’t want to join because it might be a huge time suck). I’ve been on Pinterest for a long time now, but I rarely use it for browsing (aside from the people I follow, mostly bloggers with the same interest as me). Nearly all my Pinterest usage is to save recipes, etc., from blogs and other online sources, so that I can find them again when I want to use them (yes, I actually DO make a lot of the recipes that I pin!). So basically I use Pinterest as giant favorites folders, not as a social media site (although I’ll admit that I have one board that I post the recipes from my blog on, just to separate those from other people’s recipes).
I think Pinterest is wonderful, as long as you use it smartly!
I love using pinterest. It is a great visual reminder or large moodboard for design, food, fashion, travel, etc.
http://liveitinerantly.com
Welcome to the club! Pinterest will never be the same now ;).
I’m such a fan of yours that I’m thrilled to follow you anywhere I can. Looking forward to seeing more!
You’re sweet. Thanks Yang!
Great post!
I was not on pinterest…then joined…then forgot my password, so I guess I could say taht I am almost on pinterest : )
Yup. You just 100% encapsulated my ongoing love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I feel like it’s a covet machine. I feel like it’s a perfection pusher. I feel like it may have to do with my feelings of homemaking and adorable dessert serving inadequacy. But at the end of the day, as a business person, I came to the same conclusion that you did: sometimes you just have to pull up your big girl underpants and do what needs to be done. In fact, if I’m honest, I’m pinning while I’m commenting on this post. And I plan to pin this post – a little too Alice In Wonderland-ish?
Hahaha. This is awesome. Thanks Meagan. 🙂
Welcome to Pinterest! I am sure I got a late start on Pinterest too but have found that I enjoy it and appreciate the traffic it brings to a small blog like mine. Also, I tend to look at it as a place to share and to pass on the kindness by sharing other bloggers’ work rather than a place of “oh-I-want-that-have-to-have-it” sort of place. I guess it is what you make of it. I am continually impressed by the creativity of others and Pinterest is a great avenue into that world of creating stuff, whether it is food, crafts, clothing, and, of course, the cute bags too!
Good thoughts. Thanks Holly!
It’s about time 🙂 WELCOME! I resisted it in like 2011 or so, but it’s my #1 fave social media channel, by far, and has reinvigorated my attitude towards food, cooking, baking, home decorating, etc. and has opened up a world I love having. It’s the closest thing to using the internet for the first time again -those novelty whoa omg this is so cool feelings. Love it. While I can understand your rationale for why not, and the angst and two-worlds phenomenon, the pros far outweigh the cons I believe! Followed all your boards 🙂
OK. I have a twitter account that I never use. Now there is Instagram, and I don’t use that. I just can’t keep up. I totally understand where you are coming from on this.
I boycotted it for a while also, simply for the fact that I was tired of so many different social media platforms. However, I gave in once I realized all of the amazing DIY, recipes, hairstyles, etc on there and BAM–just like that I was hooked. Now that I have included content from my blog on the site, I receive a lot of traffic!
I have also avoided Pinterest for the same reasons, particularly being grateful for what is and being mindful of being present and off the virtual world…it’s been fine for me, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything, although I enjoy seeing a pretty picture just like the next person. Enjoy and I’ll keep enjoying your wonderful blog! 🙂
I really like the way you think Lindsay! Good for you for only doing things after much consideration and not just following the crowds. They don’t always lead down the right path as all our mother’s have said. 🙂 I think it was a great decision for you and your blog though, so best of luck in your Pinterest future!! I hope you get much more traffic to your great blog!!
God bless,
Christa
I’m currently addicted to Pinterest. It is great for my blog too. Besides Facebook it has brought more traffic then any other source.
Glad to have you on board. I’ll be sure to follow. 🙂
I love your honesty and am so excited that you’ll be on Pinterest now. Cheers to you and happy pinning!
Lindsay, those are 3 really admirable reasons why you didn’t jump on the Pinterest bandwagon. I can relate to your second reason — spiraling downward in discontentment — because I’m sensitive like that too. And instead of admiring that someone sewed their own plaid napkins or made their own candles or baked a 5-tier wedding cake from scratch, I’ll feel disheartened that I didn’t do that too. Or even worse, I’ll feel jealous that my recipes don’t get as many pins, or likes, or new followers. You’re lucky to have such a wonderful friend to keep you positive and motivated, and with how sweet and aware you are, I’m sure you’ll incorporate and embrace Pinterest seamlessly!
Thanks Amy!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Pinterest. I love your writing and how you put your thoughts into words, it makes me feel like I know you :). I’ve followed your blog for almost two years and so admire your integrity and desire to live life the right way. As for Pinterest, it is actually one of my favorite sites and I’m glad that I’ll be able to keep up with you there too!
Thanks Kristie! I appreciate it!
I held off on Pinterest for ever too. I did the same with facebook. I hate to jump on a social media bandwagon. I’m still unconvinced with Instagram & Twitter, I have accounts, but I figure nobody cares that much what I’m doing or thinking every second of my day… Anyway. But now I am hopelessly addicted to Pinterest, I probably need an intervention. A serious one.
I’ve been reading for a while and I remember you mentioning the cauliflower sauce. The other day I pinned the cauliflower sauce from someone else, not realizing it was The Famous Cauliflower sauce. I clicked the link today and thought, why have I not yet made this? And put it on everything! And not told my husband I’m feeding him cauliflower. I’m so excited to make this for dinner next week. Yum!
I found you on Pinterest, so glad you started using. I love your blog!
Thanks Jillian! 🙂
Amazing! You just joined it but already gained over 1400 followers! Congrats!
i found your blog through pinterest:) the blackbean dip recipe is amazing. thanks:)
Hi, Lindsay! I found your blog from searching in google! Been spending more than an hour reading your very inspiring and down to earth blog until now! I followed you on bloglovin, so I won’t miss a post.. and even followed you on Pinterest, too!
I’m new to blogging and my new blog jhemarzaga.com and the other one beauty blog which is jhemsays.com although they’re totally different from yours, I found a new inspiration in you! I’m just really impressed and inspired, not just about your earning case studies but your kind and loving heart to the childrens here in Philippines and your dedication to share your passion in blogging. You deserve all the best!
xo
Thanks Jhem! Appreciate hearing from you.