We were first introduced to Julia, better known as itsblitzzz to her thousands of followers, as someone that we needed to know because she was making efforts to live plastic free. Always down to swap grocery store horror stories with a fellow eco trying to wipe the deadly scourge that is plastic from their lives, we were instantly enthralled with the complicated woman behind the content. Often deadpan and blunt you are just as likely to find Julia singing and dancing with abandon, making DIY toners or reusing coffee grinds to make powerhouse hand scrubs, creating delicious, healthy, and quick vegetarian meals, or defying gravity exercising on a spinning pole (it’s mesmerizing and highly recommended footage). Her natural, approachable style and refreshing ability to transmit herself in an honest, intelligent, and even vulnerable way catalpults the Youtube star past the typical “influencer” and firmly into the box we call “girl crush”( who doesn’t love a social media sensation that passes on lucrative endorsements with companies that don’t meet her personal code of ethics or standards of environmental responsibility?!) Wanting to know more, we asked Julia a little bit about what it’s like to share your life with hundreds of thousands of strangers, the ongoing process of learning to live eco-responsibly, and our new obsession, her ASMR video content on Youtube (make sure to check-out her latest starring our Slow Skincare line!).
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?
Sure. I’m Julia, otherwise known as 'itsblitzzz' on YouTube and Instagram. I honestly never know what to say when introducing myself. I currently live in Los Angeles but I’m originally from Baltimore. People always tell me I’m taller than they thought I would be when they meet me. Oh, and I have 3 cats (all rescues) – Hannalee, Cartman, and Ruby. I’ve already picked out names for the future cats I plan to adopt. That’s really all you need to know.
What’s it like sharing so much of your life with strangers on the internet? Waking up, showering, what you eat in a day, your thoughts and feelings about so many personal issues, going on a day date with your boyfriend…you allow hundreds of thousands of people to really see behind the curtain – do you ever feel vulnerable or any doubt about sharing so much of yourself with your audience? Are there things you hold back or consider off limits to your audience, things that are only for your real-life friends / family / boyfriend?
Hmmm…Making the decision to share my life online has been incredibly rewarding but challenging. As a creator, you really need to find a healthy balance between the time you spend on social media and the time you spend living the rest of your life. When social media becomes your job you can’t let it become your entire identity. I share a lot about myself but I don’t feel pressure to share everything. It’s important to have experiences and make connections offline without feeling obligated to film and photograph everything. That said, I think the internet can be really great. It inspires people, brings us together in unexpected ways, exposes us to important topics, and opens up constructive conversations that we might not have otherwise.
I’m not scared of being vulnerable and I don’t think anyone should feel ashamed or afraid to be. Vulnerability is part of the human condition. I still make mistakes and I’m not a perfect person so you just have to accept that and give yourself room to grow, especially if you are in the public eye. Social media can be a critical and judgmental place but who cares. I know not everyone is going to like me and naturally not everyone will agree with the things I do or say. I’m open to feedback, constructive criticism, different opinions, and healthy debates. As for hate, I have no room for it and I just try not to engage with it online.
Nothing is really “off limits” to my audience but there are definitely things I don’t share. My partner is a really private person and I respect that and don’t include him in online content without his consent. Sometimes he will randomly feel comfortable being in a video (which is really fun) but otherwise I keep our relationship separate for the most part. I also make an effort to put down my phone or switch it in airplane mode when I’m hanging with family and friends. It’s really annoying when you are spending quality time with someone who is constantly on their phone so I try not to be that person (all the time).
We’re obsessed with watching your ASMR videos now – can you tell us a little bit about what that is, how long you’ve been doing it, and how you got into it?
ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It’s a physical response that you feel when watching or listening to something that you find relaxing. Many people describe it as a "tingling sensation." For me, it usually starts in the back of my head. It’s almost like you are entering a conscious trance. ASMR is extremely subjective though. Everyone has different triggers and preferences and I believe the physical sensation differs from person to person as well.
I started watching content that was labeled as ‘ASMR’ probably 8 years ago but even before that I would scroll through YouTube looking for videos to help me fall asleep. I’ve always struggled with maintaining a normal sleep schedule so I needed something to help me unwind before bed. I watch a lot of ‘non-ASMR’ videos that function like ASMR too. Regular things like cooking tutorials, people doing their makeup, etc. I’ve also experienced ASMR from real life situations. I’ve been triggered at, like, the grocery store while watching the cashier weigh my produce and type in item codes. Haha. Sometimes the way people speak gives me the same sensation.
I have always wanted to explore ASMR videos myself but didn’t started filming them for my YouTube channel until about two years ago. I knew exactly what I liked to see in other videos and thought I could make something unique and a bit different. Exploring this type of content has definitely been one of the best decisions I’ve made on my channel. I’m passionate about it and it’s encouraged me to be more creative. My ASMR audience is full of some of the kindest, most caring, and supportive people so that helps!
The itsblitzz ASMR video featuring the Kindred Black Slow Skincare line.
You’re very up front with your followers and subscribers about your low waste lifestyle – what initially prompted your commitment to environmentalism?
My parents! I grew up in a household that always recycled and my mom was constantly reminding me to turn off lights whenever I left a room. It felt annoying to be reprimanded for these types of things when I was a kid but I’m so grateful because my parents really made me a more conscious person. As an adult, I started becoming really serious about lowering my waste when I moved to Los Angeles four years ago. I don’t know exactly what prompted it but there was definitely this defining moment in my life when I suddenly felt hyperaware of all the waste I was creating and I wanted to find solutions & share them. Moving across the country was eye opening too. You just realize how much stuff you have that you don't need.
Are there specific ways in which you’ve altered your lifestyle and beauty routine to be true to your ethos?
I try to keep things as simple as possible. For my body and my home, I use mostly natural ingredients. Everything from household cleaning products to my skincare routine. When looking for new products, whether beauty or household, I check to make sure the company I am supporting is cruelty free. There’s a great app you can download on your phone called Cruelty Cutter that lets you scan items at the store while you’re shopping. It’s free and it’s been so helpful for me. I also am a huge proponent for using what you already have even if it doesn’t align with all of your ethics. Basically, use things up that are in your possession before finding better alternatives. This prevents excess waste. I’m not proud to admit it but I used to have an entire closet of hair products (shampoos, conditioners, etc). I’ve been steadily using them all up for the past few years and recycling as much of the packaging as possible. It’s honestly really crazy what we can accumulate in our lifetime. I have since transitioned to shampoo bars and more eco friendly hair options.
Delicious summer salad, this and many other easy, healthy recipes on Julia's Instagram.
Any areas where you still feel you could improve?
Totally. My lifestyle isn’t perfect and never will be. I am always learning and always amending my ideas of what it means to live ethically. For now, I’m living the way that is best for me at this moment in my life and always trying to improve more. That’s all we really can do. When we’re too hard on ourselves I think it can be counterproductive. Gradual steps are the way to go when you are looking to improve any part of your life. If you want to make changes but try to do everything at once it feels unattainable and can be discouraging. I try to give myself credit for the small steps and be encouraging to the people around me who are also looking to live more ethically and sustainably.
Do you find that your audience is receptive and engaged with your environmentally focused content?
Yes! I try to spread knowledge without passing judgement and people are really receptive to it. People send me messages all the time of small changes they are making in their own lives after seeing my posts and videos. It really feels amazing, like we are all making a difference together.
The world is so far behind the eight ball on these issues, how do you think social media can best be used to change people’s behavior?
Educating and encouraging! A lot of people are honestly naive to the damage we are doing to the environment and it’s not their fault! A lot of us have been raised without awareness or the knowledge and tools to implement change. As I mentioned earlier, my parents have always been environmentally conscious and taught me how important it is to protect our planet at a young age. Even still, I grew up without fully understanding how detrimental things like single use plastics are, just because the information wasn’t really available. I also wasn’t learning about important topics like climate change and the environmental effects of large industries in school. I wish I had! Luckily there is more information now and more resources available for us to learn from.
Social media is such an important tool for educating because it is so far reaching. No matter where we live, most os us are checking social media on a daily basis. I really think it will be the most important tool for widespread change. Something to consider is the approach we are using when educating others on social media. Being open minded is so important. We should never be pointing fingers or shaming others for their lifestyle. If you approach someone critically and negatively, they are way less likely to listen to what you are saying. If we are more supportive towards each other, we can make a much bigger difference. We just need to keep spreading awareness on major issues and quit assuming the mentality that people are living ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. We are all in different points of life and have all been influenced by different external factors. There really is so much at stake though (especially for future generations). It time for us to put in the necessary work and leave our planet in a better state than it was when we arrived.
Follow Julia on Instagram @itsblitzzz. Images courtesy of Julia Itsblitzzz.