#7 - Social Media

Pinterest

The past two decades have revolutionized how we interact with one another online. Born in the early 2000s, I have witnessed firsthand how social media has affected the world. Today, there is an app for almost every interest, and everyone uses one form of social media or another. One of the first platforms I downloaded was Pinterest. Other than Instagram, I have used Pinterest longer than most social media I use today.

According to Pinterest's website, "Pinterest is a visual discovery engine for finding ideas like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more." I usually use Pinterest to find clothes, decor, DIY projects, or book recommendations. I will sometimes use the app to find cleaning hacks or organization tips. 

My favorite aspect of Pinterest is similar to that of TikTok. Both apps use algorithms that are curated to your interests. Your home feed will reflect your pins, search history, and who you are following. Also, when shopping on the platform, there are links included to where you can purchase products. 

Sending links to your friends is simple and can be done straight from your messaging app instead of sharing from Pinterest itself. 

Pinterest is #1 in Lifestyle on the App Store. The app has around 445 million active users, primarily women aged 25 to 34. The platform's second largest audience is women ages 18 to 24. Also, it is noticeable that many bloggers will use Pinterest to grow traffic. 

Pinterest will always be one of my favorite social media platforms. The app is curated for you, and you are guaranteed to see content that interests you, and that is not the case on platforms such as Instagram or even TikTok. Also, the app makes me feel 'relaxed' because I never see stressful content such as politics or negativity. Pinterest has aimed to promote more positive content and mental health and prevent burnout. 

Because the app lacks negativity, Pinterest will always remain on my phone, even when taking a break from social media. 

In September 2022, Pinterest launched its "Don't Don't Yourself" campaign. The campaign focuses on how social media can sabotage and distract us through the following: Fear of Failure, Judgement, Procrastination, Inner Critic, and 'Doomscrolling'. 

Pinterest 'Don't Don't Yourself' | Fear of Failure from Uncommon London on Vimeo.

Pinterest does more than entertain; it inspires its users to get active. Whether through a DIY project, decorating, or cleaning, it motivates me to get things done. However, it also helps me stay organized. Pinterest can be used by anyone, even those who avoid social media. The platform has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.