I love Pinterest. It is where I keep track of everything that inspires me: style ideas, quotes to remember, beauty tips and design inspiration. While other people are able to see other pinners’ boards and pins, ultimately, it is a place for the individual to put everything they love in one place. But every now and then, the negative comments appear, and for some reason, sometimes they can really grind my gears.

I know it’s the Internet and it’s easier to speak your mind because you’re behind a keyboard and it doesn’t really seem like the mean-spirited comments will stick to anything. It’s kind of like driving a car; it’s easier to be inconsiderate and rude because you’re not face-to-face with someone. I mean, you wouldn’t pull a bicycle horn out of your purse and honk it at someone taking too long in the post office line, right? (Okay, it’s definitely tempting though, right?) So why do we think it’s okay to be ugly to a complete stranger on the Internet? And Pinterest, of all places? 

I’m not saying that I expect people to be smiley and positive all the time. I am certainly guilty of thinking negative thoughts more than I care to admit. But it just seems like such a waste of time. I mean, the time it takes to write a long-winded comment about how a model looks “ugly” or “too skinny” or how those shoes are “hideous,” you could have found something on Pinterest that you love and puts a smile on your face. I’d much rather repin things onto my inspiration boards all day than comment about how everyone is too skinny/fat/ugly on other people’s boards all day. I mean, these are THEIR pins on THEIR boards. I guess maybe it’s like discussing politics or something… but do you really think that you’re going to change anyone else’s mind about anything? You have about an equal chance of changing someone’s mind about something as they do to change yours. Do you think that by commenting that something is “ugly” or “nasty” on someone else’s pin that they’re going to look at it and be like “Yeah, now I think it’s ugly too! You’re totally right!”? It really just makes you look like a really mean person with nothing better to do. It’s harsh, but it’s true.

What really upsets me is that most of these comments seem to just tear down other women’s bodies. Saying that someone “needs a sandwich” and that “they must be anorexic” can be just as hurtful to someone’s body image as saying they’re “too fat.” If someone appears to be underweight or thin, it doesn’t automatically mean that they’re anorexic… just like if someone happens to be overweight, it doesn’t mean that they sit around and eat fast food all day. Come on, ladies! We get so angry when men criticize our bodies, why do we feel like it’s okay to talk the same way about someone else’s? And on someone else’s Pinterest board? Personally, I don’t have room for a ton of negativity in my life. If I don’t like something on someone’s board, I just unfollow the pinner, or just the board that doesn’t share my similar taste.

Honestly, most of the time, I just roll my eyes whenever I see rude and thoughtless comments and keep scrolling throughout my feed… but for some reason, I feel like venting talking about it. I feel like most of you will know exactly what I’m talking about, and I’d love to hear your opinions on the subject. Again, I’m not saying that I expect everyone on the Internet to be on their best behavior and I’m not saying that the Internet should be nothing but LOLcats and rainbows… but that would be pretty freaking amazing. Pinterest is a place where you curate images and ideas that YOU like. It shouldn’t be a place to tear each other down based on our unique tastes. Okay, venting over. Promise.

So what do you think, Lovelies? Are mean comments on Pinterest justified?