Pinterest 2020 is the New Tumblr 2013

LifestyleInternet

Apr 2

To an extent, I think we can all agree that the Tumblr scene in 2013 cannot possibly be replicated. In thinking of a way to describe this irreplaceable magic, all that came to my head unfortunately were three songs: Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood, Tennis Court by Lorde, and How to Be a Heartbreaker by Marina and The Diamonds. Actually, also some arbitrary items such as the American Apparel shopping bag with cities on it separated by slashes, the phone case with studs in a triangle shape on the back, and penny boards. Although that piece of our adolescence will always have a special place in our hearts, for the first time in a while something has struck me with that same inspired feeling that heightened my mood during those tumultuous, coming-of-age times: Pinterest.

Maybe it’s just me, but for the longest time, Pinterest really seemed like a place for DIYs that never actually worked out, baking recipes that were supposed to be incredible but somehow only called for two ingredients, and 20 days to six-pack abs guidelines that, well, we eventually learned weren’t actually a magic key to looking like the girls in the photos. I haven’t necessarily had this conversation with many people so there is a chance that only my feed looked this way in which case I could just be letting you into what I was interested in when I discovered it in middle school. But in any case, I’ve found that Pinterest in 2020 is actually an incredible resource for creative minded people and anyone looking for some quality inspiration.

First of all, while I failed every computer science course I’ve ever taken, I can respect a good algorithm when I see one. And Pinterest, let me tell you. This thing is so smooth that the way I discovered the value of the site was by just going on it probably twice a year looking for some room decor or hair color inspiration, and then all of a sudden it was completely tailored to my taste. Imagine Tumblr, how you’d sort of have to try and find good accounts to follow to get the content you wanted to see on your feed. On Pinterest, you simply click on/save about ten photos and then bam, you’re discovering tons of amazing content on your home page every time you log on. Also, compared also to a platform such as Instragram, I don’t follow one person nonetheless any friends or influential users. It does all the work for you.

Which brings me to my next point, there’s something I really like about the lack of social-media-ness on Pinterest. Now this definitely could just be the way I use it, and I also have actually exchanged boards and account names with friends at some points, but the culture on the platform is definitely focused on you and the content you’re interested in. Although it could be fun to present an image compiled of your interests and favorite aesthetics on Tumblr when we were younger, it’s refreshing to have a place where you can really just appreciate ideas and not have to feel like you’re being watched in any way. Moreover, I haven’t actually posted one thing on the platform thus far. The website really just has collections of photos waiting to provide inspiration without any pressure from the user to intervene.

One of my favorite things to do with Pinterest is make mood boards. As it’s an incredible place for images to be curated in ways to suit your tastes and intentions, it’s perfect for compiling a selection of photos for an idea you might want to explore or convey. For any event planning, collective, or designer, there are tons of inspiring graphics, merchandise ideas, and poster designs. For anyone interested in creative direction like myself, there is so much unique editorial work on there from content creators that you can’t typically find in a mainstream magazine or website. It can be really inspiring to see so much original material when you’re tired of seeing the same models in powdered milk bathtubs with flower petals. So inspiring that it makes you want to come up with ideas that give people that same feeling you had in witnessing something new.

As for outfit and beauty inspiration, I’m yet to find any comparable source that can offer personal style and makeup ideas as effectively as Pinterest does. Seriously, myself five years ago would have cringed so hard at that statement, but there really is a never ending catalogue of clothing and makeup looks on the site. And the best part is, they really just appear. Without something like Pinterest, looking for inspiration regarding clothes or beauty for a lot of people usually starts with one particular trend that’s interesting or something that was seen on someone else. While there’s nothing wrong with that, and I think its part of the magic way fashion and style connect people, it can also be quite magical to be inspired in a way that you can have an extremely personal connection to whatever it is you stumble upon. And when it comes to home, apartment, and room vibes, this platform can help you put together any atmosphere you could dream of. As the first thing that got me back onto it was thinking about what I wanted my first non-hometown-room, non-dorm-room room to be like, the home decor world of Pinterest can really inspire any space. Although I started with exploring for my first room to myself as the young adult that I am, I now think about my home for fifty years into the future because It’s truly impossible to not get excited about that stuff on this website.

Despite the fact that Pinterest is paying me to write this, (jokes), all in all, I hope that you’re at least inspired to try it out for a few minutes if you’re not already using it. For something to even come close to giving you the feeling we had scrolling through Tumblr in 2013, you have to trust that it’d be a good use of your time.