Pinterest Confession

*This is not intended to be a bashing on any specific person. For my standards, I got carried away with Pinterest and this is how it effected me and how I plan to handle it.*

Dear Pinterest,

Our relationship started out so innocently. I joined Pinterest to get some ideas on home crafts, recipes and activities to do with Vivian. I got some wonderful ideas and have even tried a few. I got most of Vivian's 1st birthday party ideas from Pinterest. Even one of my goals before I turn 30 is to do one Pinterest craft a month. It is definitely a great resource. Everything was going along fine until I started following all these wonderful yet over-achieving mamas and crafters. I must confess that I can be an over-achiever as well, however these ladies take it to a whole new level. You see, I go into an activity with gusto and put toward 110% committing more time than I have but I do it one activity at a time. These mamas seemed to be doing it with every activity, from brushing their teeth to teaching their baby colors to getting the car's oil changed, every part of the day. And on top of that, they had the time to blog about it and then Pin it. I thank those ladies for having so much energy because I have repinned many of their ideas in hopes that one day I too can be as organized and productive as they are and be the best mom and wife I can be. But recently I realized that I was trying to be the best mom and wife they could be. For some reason it made me want to compare myself to all the super mamas and super crafters but I know that I should only compete against my own expectations of myself not others. At my peak, I was checking Pinterest 3 times a day (morning, during nap, while Derrick was giving Vivian a bath). Maybe not so bad, I know many people follow it on their phones but I was clearly not making the most of my time. How was I supposed to organize my pantry, prepare the next activity that is going to make Vivian the smartest baby ever and cook dinner if I was busy checking in on everybody else's brilliant accomplishment of the day? I was getting worked up with anxiety and felt I had to do a hundred things a hundred miles a minute in order to keep up. But since I've been on vacation and have been more focused on the things that matter more to me than the best way to clean a fish bowl, I haven't checked Pinterest once. And I feel great. I think I will use Pinterest as more of a search engine from now on. I can't bring myself to unfollow all these wonderful ladies. In the back of my head I still think, "What if they Pin the very one thing I have been looking for this whole time?" Yet not knowing what that one thing is. If I am interested in activities to teach Vivian about farm animals or if I'm looking for a new recipe then I'll check to see what Pinterest has to offer. I know I can count on finding several great ideas from all the brilliant minds that share their goodies with everyone. So thank you Pinterest for your wonderful concept but I won't be checking in as regularly. Although, it is the holidays and I am looking for the best way to make rack of lamb.

Sincerely,
Nicole