5 Signs You Need a Pinterest Detox

Updated on March 1, 2015 at 7:45 PM

Over the holiday break, I had two misadventures in the kitchen — both inspired by Pinterest projects — that left me feeling a bit disenchanted with the thousands of pins I've amassed over the years. Each required its own trip to the craft store to procure some obscure, one-time-use-only component, and each resulted in wasted hours during what was already a hectic week (both were cookie related, in case you were wondering). I was able to laugh about it, but I also took a silent vow to cool it on the overambitious Pinterest-inspired projects.

Here's the thing about all of those pins. Many end up on there via DIY bloggers who spend hours staging and styling their shots. Is the end result that we see really what theirs came right out of the oven/sewing machine/hot-glue gun assembly line looking like? Not necessarily.

If you're feeling similarly defeated by the lofty ideals that the site sets many of us up for, forget the resolutions of trips to the gym, organizing your life, and losing those last 10 pounds, and embark upon a Pinterest detox of your very own. Here are the telltale signs that you're the perfect candidate!

1. You've Gilded All of Your Children's Toys

If you've played on Pinterest, for even an hour, you know the little plastic animals we're talking about. Once a dollar-store trinket or the contents of a goody bag, they've all gone gold since undergoing your glitzy spray-paint makeover. And probably been stuck to the top of a mason jar too.

2. You've Had This on Your "Home" Board For Over a Year . . .

It looks so simple and so stylish, right?

But This Is What's Still Sitting in Your Bedroom

If Pinterest has you investing in the "bargain" building blocks to a whole lot of DIY projects but not actually doing anything with them, it kind of nixes the whole "bargain" thing, doesn't it?

3. You Stay Up Crafting Until Ungodly Hours of the Night

Mom who started the cake pops at 11 p.m. and finished icing them somewhere between 2 a.m. and dusk? We're looking at you.

4. You Were Going For This . . .

Food made fun, right?!

But Ended Up With This

See, honey? It's a little bunny! Get it?

5. The Fun of It All Was Gone Long Ago

Slice-and-bake cookies were invented for a reason. Give yourself a break in 2015 . . . You deserve it!