Jia is the hilarious voice behind Untypically Jia…blogger who’s writing is focused on finding the humor in everything…or in Jia’s words a blog about, “awesome things like depression, anxiety and mental illness”.
Untypically Jia is an untypically awesome blog name, can you tell us why you started blogging and how long you’ve been at it?
I’ve been blogging for about six years because it doesn’t seem fair that my husband is the only person who has to witness my crazy.
Kind of like how the other day when we were in Walmart and I started doing my Sylvester Stallone impression and my husband was all, “You’re being really loud.” Well yeah I’m being loud. Why is he the only one who gets to hear me?
You say you write about depression, anxiety and mental illness, has blogging helped you deal with these things at all?
I started writing about my mentall illness after I had a bit of a mental breakdown in 2010. I’d dabbled in writing about it before but I realised that one of the reasons I felt really alone in my problem was because there’s still so much stigma about mental illness. I wanted to show a real side, and occasionally a humorous side.
Thankfully I found a huge network of support through my readers and over the course of about a year, thanks partly to blogging about it, I was able to conquer most of my anxiety related OCD and even several phobias.
Although you blog about some pretty heavy topics, your blog can definitely be considered a humor blog. Have you always been the funny girl?
(Insert joke here.) Seriously, those kind of questions are like when a comedian walks into their parents house for Thanksgiving and the guests are all, “Oh you’re a comedian? Say something funny.” It’s like performance anxiety. Wait . . . I think performance anxiety is related to bedroom activity. Right? Well I don’t have that. Unless I haven’t shaved my legs in a while. Oh, who’re we kidding, I couldn’t care less about shaving my legs. Mostly because I’m a big girl and I’m afraid if I bend weird in the shower I’ll tip over. That’s probably because when I was eighteen I didn’t have medical insurance, because I worked at McDonalds and I didn’t know I needed medical insurance, and my future mother in law was all, “What if you slip and fall in the shower and crack your head open?” So now I have a fear of falling in the shower.
I’m also afraid of frogs, birds and volcanoes.
What do you love most about blogging?
Often in real life I’ll have something to say and I’ll say it and then people look at me strangely and my husband has to tell me that I should stop using big words when I don’t know what they mean. Or I’ll say something offensive and then I have to apologise because people didn’t realize that I was joking. Well blogging is nice because I get to edit the things I write (though I rarely do), and when I’m being offensively funny people don’t get that upset because I tagged the post with “probably offensive” so they should have just known better.
On a serious note, I’ve made some of the best friends through blogging. It’s also helped me find my voice and convinced me that I can be myself, and myself is awesome enough for the world to see. There’s no reason I need to hide who I really am.
I should however on occasion dye my roots. Like now. Seriously, they look really bad.
If you were forced to step away from social media, what hobby would you take up as a replacement?
Like if the internet exploded? I’d carry around a small notebook with me at all times, and whenever I had something to say I’d write down things like, “@doctor I need more meds please #zoloftmakesmelesscrazy”.
Other popular posts from Untypically Jia:
About Kat
Love her I’m Awkward photos! She looks fun!
denice recently posted..Fun Wedding Ideas
“Well blogging is nice because I get to edit the things I write …” = BRILLIANT!
Twitter: almostsinglemom
says:
lol who doesn’t have a fear of falling in the shower- and volcanos. Totally normal fears. for what it is worth I am terrified of birds too- they are just so bird-like
almostsinglemom recently posted..The best things in life are free
Twitter: untypicallyjia
says:
Birds are so evil. Except ducks. Ducks are like the dogs of the bird world.
Tucans are the devil.
Seriously, I was attacked by one when I was a baby.
Untypically Jia recently posted..For SITS and Giggles
Oh, hey, Jia. Happy SiTS Day. I remember you from our tribe. Hope all is well. Congrats on being featured.
Jean Has Been Shopping recently posted..House Hunters International
Ha! Loved her blog. I followed her so I could go back and browse more when I’m not at work.
Hope everyone has a good day!
Lauren recently posted..Here I Know The World Will Tell Me Where I Should Go… –The Savannah Leigh Band
What is the one thing that every, simply every, buyer says at least once on those shows?
“I love the natural lighting in this room…it’s so bright”
Lynda Grace recently posted..Harum-scarum
What is the one thing that every, simply every, buyer says at least once on those shows?
“I love the natural lighting in this room…it’s so bright”
oops sorry left this on the wrong blog. I meant to reply to http://jeanhasbeenshopping.com/house-hunters-international/
Lynda Grace recently posted..Harum-scarum
Twitter: singlemomventur
says:
I look forward to reading this blog!
Jennifer recently posted..Project 52 Update
Twitter: babybabylemon
says:
Happy SITS Day!
Amy recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Wink
I think that keeping a good sense of humor while struggling with some heavy stuff is a great way to tackle those issues.
Melissa@ Completely Eclipsed recently posted..Keeping It Going
“I’ve been blogging for about six years because it doesn’t seem fair that my husband is the only person who has to witness my crazy.”
LOVE this quote! Can’t wait to read more of your blog (from home, not sneaking on at work!).
Red Door Kitchen recently posted..Bacon Wrapped Scallops & Loaded Potatoes Aligot
Love it – I always need a good morning laugh
Looking forward to reading Jia!
Everyday Mama recently posted..Magical Mix-ins…
Twitter: TinaLaneBlogs
says:
I love a girl with a sense of humor. I am off to visit Jia.
Talking about summer indulgences at my place. What is yours?
(FL) Girl with a New Life recently posted..What I’m Indulging In: Skinny Girl Margarita
Twitter: untypicallyjia
says:
My summer indulgence is currently italian water ice. There’s a shop up the street and it’s the only thing that cools me off since my medication gives me hot flashes, I have a humid swamp cooler and it’s 100 degrees outside. Ugh.
Untypically Jia recently posted..For SITS and Giggles
Jia ~ Happy SITS day! So funny…I’m so glad to be introduced to you and your blog!
Love to see another red-headed blogger!
Jen-MamaZen recently posted..Freeflys Freebies: June 29, 2011
I just found Jia’s blog last week from SITS and I think her blog is refreshingly honest! I love her open approach to blogging. She’s got a Bloggy Friend in me
She sounds like my kind of girl…going over to introduce myself.
Oh…and with the craziness of the end of school year, it’s been a couple days since I have been here…sorry!
I will do better now I promise. Still working towards that FB day “someday!”
Tammy recently posted..Almost Wordless Wednesday – Seattle Sounders Style
Twitter: osvme
says:
I’ve seen her blog before, it’s pretty awesome
Jenny recently posted..Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Twitter: multiplemama
says:
That collage is hilarious! Love her sense of humor!
Andrea recently posted..Momfession #1
Holy hilarious!
Life As Wife recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Our Mountain Home
Happy SITS day! Nice to get to know you better Julia!
Ashley recently posted..Smells like school spirit…
I meant Jia. I’m still half asleep! Sorry!
Ashley recently posted..Smells like school spirit…
Very hilarious!
Alexandra Román recently posted..La escritura llega con el viento… / Writing comes with the wind…
It’s awesome that she is found an outlet and way to share with others what she has gone through and is able to help others through her humor. Great blogger!
a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut recently posted..recipe time!
Late getting my day started. Thanks for the laughs about shaving legs!
Caren with a “C” recently posted..Olive Oil Sprayer is a Great Kitchen Gadget Gift
Twitter: ziggy1962
says:
Loving her blog. For some reason, I can’t comment on her post though, so I thought I would see if I could post a comment here to see if it was my computer or the site.
Happy Hump Day!
Laura recently posted..WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: CLICK FOR YOUR MOMMA
Twitter: ziggy1962
says:
I guess it’s not my computer. I’ll just keep trying
What a great blog! Such a unique topic and something people need to be more aware about from a real person’s perspective!
Heather recently posted..a Bare Escentuals look with Love & Happiness
Twitter: Mrsourna
says:
Literally had to run to the bathroom after reading her posts she’s so funny. I can only dream of being this funny one day. Or at least that awkward.
Happy SITS day!
Twitter: untypicallyjia
says:
That’ll be my next collage..
Untypically Jia: I Bet You Want to Pee Now, Huh?
Untypically Jia recently posted..For SITS and Giggles
Very funny! Have a great day and congratulations! Love the photo montage.
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Ask Literal Mom – Sleep and a #giveaway
I love a good laugh! Off to check out the FB and then heading to the ocean for a few days. yay!
citymouse recently posted..tunes i like tuesday: morning
howdy.
c.c. recently posted..the twenty-seventh day
Her blog just cracked me up! Great read!
Kristen Tschida recently posted..Update! Bathing Suits…of DEATH
This made me smile. I love people who are as kooky as me. Good to hear your voice. Brooke
I have met Jia before during a linkup that SITS had a couple of months back! Great humor and transparency! Congrats on your SITS day!
Living the Balanced Life recently posted..Wonder Woman doesn’t live here anymore
Twitter: annieandisabel
says:
Looking forward to reading this blog because I can tell she has quite a fun personality. I also love that she used her blog to blog about mental illness. We have been touched by this in our family and it is so very hard because of the stigma attached. Nobody gets that people don’t choose to have a mental illness. It needs to be thought of like cancer and people need to provide compassion and sympathy to all those dealing with any kind of mental illness!!
Also….SITS ladies…check out our hosiptal gown giveaway at the link below:-)
Anna & Selena recently posted..Tiffany Darlyn Designer Hospital Gown Giveaway ~ Winner Picked July 12th
Can’t wait to read this one. I could use a good laugh!
Jamie recently posted..[color kreyv]: Pink & Gray
A girl after my own heart….we like firemens!
Yolanda recently posted..Am I Blue…
Great sense of humor! Congrats on your SITS Day!
Leah Rubin recently posted..Happy Birthday to Decrepit Old Me
Twitter: sheswrite
says:
I am bookmarking her right now. I can’t WAIT to check her out. I’ve gotta pack up for a 10 day family “vacation” but I like her kind of funny. “Mostly because I’m a big girl and I’m afraid if I bend weird in the shower I’ll tip over.” Seriously? That’s hilarious. Ha-frickin-larious. Congrats on your SITS day!
She’sWrite recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: A Lucky Car Accident
Twitter: untypicallyjia
says:
Seriously. Big girls like me only bend so far.
Untypically Jia recently posted..For SITS and Giggles
I love Jia’s blog. She is one of my top 10 favorite blog finds since I joind the SISTahood
MJ Scott recently posted..Cushion for the Pushin
Sound like you are doing some good things with bringing awareness and a forum to help others
Angela Johnson recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
Definitely another one here who is a bit scared of the falling in the shower…
Deidre recently posted..Signed, Sealed, Delivered…I’m yours. And I am sorry.
Fabulous, absolutely fabulous!
Twitter: untypicallyjia
says:
Okay seriously y’all, you are too sweet. It’s really difficult for me to respond to everyone because I’m not used to being serious when it comes to humility and being grateful and such. And some of your comments here are just sweet and it feels like saying “Thank you” isn’t genuine because it doesn’t describe how I really feel.
So I’ll just say you make me feel unicorns and kittens. And we’ll leave it at that, kay?
Untypically Jia recently posted..For SITS and Giggles
Haha, love the photos!!
Work At Home Market recently posted..Interview: Natalie Jacobs
Twitter: ChristyHomeMom
says:
Always in the mood for a good laugh! ALWAYS .)
Christy, Home-Mom recently posted..Welcome to a New Generation of Oral Care Treatment *Giveaway
That’s so great you found the courage to start writing about such heavy topics. It has taken me a while to do what you’re doing!
Jennifer recently posted..Reflection: Long-Distance Relationships
Blogging can definitely be considered a form of therapy!
Jenny recently posted..Men’s T-shirt to Ruffle Tank Top tutorial.
wait, I meant to comment on this blog, did I? lol. I love this blog, found her on the SITS comment hour before. Love her style! her writing has made me smile. AND laugh. AND cry. that’s good stuff!!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman recently posted..ReStore Shopping and Projects Galore
This seems like the type of blog I’ve been searching for! Real, sarcastic, and unabashed. Definitely adding this to my blogroll.
Twitter: MBMomBlogger
says:
Thank you for introducing us to Jia! Does your husband feel better, Jia, that other people witness the crazy, too? He’s not alone! I look forward to reading your blog.
Debbie Goldberg recently posted..Cross Country Book Club Give-Away!
Twitter: untypicallyjia
says:
He said that he doesn’t think I’m that crazy and then I had to remind him of the time (recently) that I seduced a jar of pickles in a grocery store. And he went, “Oh yeah, there’s that.”
Untypically Jia recently posted..For SITS and Giggles
You seem to have completely found your calling! Very nice.
Craftwhack recently posted..A Tale of Two Households