How Pinterest changed my life.
Is that the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard or what? (Please don’t answer that).
The thing is, it’s entirely true.
**Schmalz alert: this post is overly cheezeball. You have been warned.
When I graduated college with my brand new photography degree, I had every intention of landing an awesome internship, perfecting my craft, and living a fabulously creative life of portraiture and Art with a capital A.
But I suffer from persistent migraines, which had steadily worsened while I was a student and became truly chronic after graduation. By chronic, I mean 15-20 migraines per month. I know, that’s a scary number. Nothing sucks away your creativity or ambition like searing pain and the anxiety that you’re going to lose your job because you get sick so often.
I spent the next three years or so bouncing from crappy job to crappier job, visiting a plethora of doctors, and feeling like my brain and every creative cell were rotting inside my skull. I don’t think I picked up my camera once in that time; I could barely catch my breath.
And then came Pinterest.
The biggest thing the migraines took from me was inspiration—not just feeling it, but even the ability to seek it out. I struggled so much just to get up in the mornings, there was no chance to get to art shows or befriend other creatives.
But with Pinterest, just like that, I suddenly had endless inspiring images at my fingertips. Photography, art, fashion—anything I could want to look at. Pinning is effortless, and easy to do in the little “well” time I had. I felt my world enlarging a bit, and my brain waking up.
It’s no coincidence that my migraines started to improve when creativity resurfaced in my life. (The Botox helped too. Less migraines and a wrinkle-free forehead? Yes, please!)
I pinned for about a year, ravenously sifting through the boundless sea of craft projects, travel destinations, and life hacks, and absorbing that which in some way inspired me.
Then one morning I woke up, and I felt like making. It was as though that year of pinning had been unforeseen research, stuffing my brain with slowly percolating ideas which all of a sudden burst out in a creative impulse to make…a pom-pom bookmark.
Hey, we all have to start somewhere.
Just two months after making this first little craft project, I started Jade and Fern.
So you see, Pinterest really did change my life. It gave me access to inspiration in a time when I lived in a creative vacuum. And it helped me make the leap from “I could make that” to “I did make that.”
Do you use Pinterest? What has your experience been with this often controversial platform? Has Pinterest changed any aspect of your life? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Enough of this cheesiness, I’m off to pin all the things do more research.
How inspiring! Your story is very touching. I am glad you found Pinterest! I don’t know if Pinterest has changed my life, but it has definitely enhanced and assisted in all of my creative urges. PS I love your pom-pom book mark 🙂
Thank you, Piper! I just adore Pinterest–besides everything I wrote about, I also just think it’s fun, and such a great way to organize ideas. 🙂 Glad my little bookmark has a fan!
This is really inspiring and I’m so happy for you that Pinterest provided an avenue for you battle your migraines and follow your passion.
Thank you, Tammy, I really appreciate that!
I love pinterest, but when I look at if has been life changing for me I have to come to the conclusion it makes me come out of bed later…. Since i’ll be scrolling phptos for 15 minutes each morning *facepalm. But whatever it’s awesome anyway
Ha! “Help, I’m Addicted to Pinterest” was the title for my first draft of this post. It’s so true, it is a time-sucker for sure. A pretty, pretty time-sucker.
I love this. Very inspiring to see how creativity has helped your body and soul. You have a lot of it ;).
Pinterest is King. It absolutely makes my life happier!
Thank you, Amy, that is so sweet! I’m glad Pinterest adds something to your life too. 🙂
That’s a nice story! While starting my blog didn’t have to do with Pinterest (it was more Tumblr & Polyvore back then), I do think it’s my go-to platform when I feel uninspired.
Tumblr and Polyvore are great too! There are so many options now–too many, really, which is a whole other post. 🙂
Oh you poor thing! Glad to hear you are better now. Pinterest is a medical marvel… you’ve proved it. All the more reason to Pin more! x
Thank you Francesca! It certainly is a reason to pin more! XP
So sorry to hear about all your migraines, but I love that you’re able to create again! The amount of inspiration we have at our fingertips these days is amazing. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed with it all, so it’s nice to hear that it’s changed your life for the better 🙂
It definitely can get overwhelming at times! That’s when I like to turn off the computer and read a good book instead. 🙂 Thanks for the support!
Who knew pinterest could do so much good? I love this post and I’m so happy that you were able to get the creative bug. You’re obviously super talented and very creative, so I’m happy pinterest pushed ya in the right direction!
XOXO
Becca | Ladyface Blog
Thank you so much Becca! You are too kind. It’s amazing how many sources of inspiration we have access to with the internet–including your beautiful blog!!
Pinterest gets a lot of flack but I LOVE it! I love my board of things that make me laugh. My board of cute animals makes me smile no matter what. And talk about inspiring? I don’t necessarily make exactly what I pin, but it gives me a little nudge to try things and make something.
I’m glad it had such a great impact on your life!
Yes to cute animals! Another thing I like about Pinterest is how you can really see your taste come together when looking at Pins. So fun! Thank you for stopping by!
Hi, there! I’m Forencia from Argentina. I just happened to find your website the other day, and was amazed by all the beautiful and crafty things!!! Today I read this post about how Pinterest changed your life. It was really inspiring because I feel the same, it’s such an amazing tool! I’m so glad it helped you get rid of those horrible migraines, I used to have them too last year. Now, I’m better. I hope God helps you in everything! xoxox
Hi Forencia! Thank you so much for your kind words and taking the time to leave this thoughtful comment! I’m so glad you’ve had a similar experience with Pinterest—and that your migraines are better! Best wishes! xoxo
How interesting! I love reading more about fellow DIY bloggers’ creative journey! This actually got me to thinking about whether I’d ever made anything off Pinterest! I love it though!! 🙂
Aww thank you so much for reading! This post is very dear to my heart. And in spite of how much Pinterest has changed and often drives me crazy now I still love it for introducing me to blogging and getting me to DIY! xoxo
Hey Girl
We never know what live has in store for us, and some time its dark before the light comes back.
Your live and Story ist an inspiration, keep going and let your light shine.
Tante Dagi Love you
Dagi, I am so so lucky to have you in my life. Thank you for being my champion. Love you so much! xoxo