Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittanica Young.
Hi Brittanica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Brittanica Young. Where do I start?! Let’s take it back… I was born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, a small town in the Midwest. My hometown is one of those places where everybody knows EVERYBODY! I love home for that reason, however, I always had an itch to get out and explore the rest of the world, which is what would eventually land me here in LA! I was raised by both parents, shout out to my mom & dad! My parents worked hard to make sure my brother and I had the majority of our needs met. Back in those days, therapy wasn’t something black families discussed, and anything mental health meant you were crazy. So, feelings and emotions didn’t get processed too often. I struggled a lot with low self-esteem as I was growing up. I was a tomboy (still am), and you would most likely find me on the basketball court with the boys. I always felt like I was different than most of the girls I went to school with, I was a very extroverted introvert. When I was 18, I eloped and got married, and had my two daughters who are now teenagers. I ended up getting a divorce a few years later. This was the start of a very dark period of my life that lasted quite a while. I was young, with no direction in my life. Most of my friends had went on to college, we’d lost touch, and there I was, a young single mother of two.
This lead to drinking on the regular and a toxic lifestyle that was only taking me further down a path of destruction. I wasn’t showing up as the best version of myself for my daughters, nor was I truly allowing myself the chance to heal. Until one day, I felt like God had finally allowed me to realize that I was at my rock bottom and it was time to change. After many signs of confirmation, I enrolled into nursing school, which led me into the mental health field. After a few years of studying, I became a psychiatric registered nurse, which still amazes me because I’ve always been a free spirit and a creative, and school just wasn’t my thing, this was truly God’s plan. I fell in love with learning about mental health and all the different diagnoses. It was comforting to know I wasn’t alone in my struggle with depression or anxiety, and I realized that my patients were people, just like me, stuck in their own cycles of hurt and self-destructing behaviors. I knew I had to find a way to share the message that I felt was so simple yet profound in my own healing journey, “stop collecting junk”.
I realized I’d been carrying childhood trauma, relationship issues, limiting beliefs, guilt, shame, and so much more, and it was okay to just let it all go. It was all dead weight holding me down. That’s when the Don’t Recycle Project was born. I wanted to create a brand that would make people stop and scratch their heads, which is usually what happens when they see ‘Don’t Recycle’ on a sweatshirt or hat. It’s definitely a conversation starter, and I believe there are so many conversations to be had about breaking generational curses and ending trauma cycles. My daughters were a huge inspiration behind me starting this brand and truly putting in the work in my own life. I wanted them to be able to talk about their feelings and know their self-worth without having to repeat the same life lessons that I did. It’s not about blaming or regretting the past but creating a better future. God has a plan for our pain, and I know this is my purpose!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as starting the brand, the hardest part was getting out of my own way. I have days where I get in my head and question my ideas. I also struggled at first with being vulnerable enough to tell my story and share my experiences with the world. My truth sets me free, and I pray it sets others free too.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear a few hats. I’m a psychiatric registered nurse. I’ve been in nursing for over six years! I work in acute care psychiatric hospitals, and I’ve also worked as a travel nurse in multiple states. I’m also a music artist, where I’m known as Pynk Roze. I write, rap and sing. I create music that makes me feel good, and I use my music to tell my story and uplift others. Music is my therapy. I believe what sets me apart is the fact that I never gave up on myself. I dream big, maybe not as big as when I was 5, but I still dream, and I’m proud of myself for that. My younger self would be proud of the woman I am today.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m currently reading Finding me by Viola Davis. I love Jay Shetty’s podcast “On Purpose”. Anything self-help. I practice meditation and mindfulness. Journaling has also been a big help and breath work. I’m working on getting more fitness into my daily schedule. I try to take time each day to sit and reflect and give thanks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dontrecycleproject.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dontrecycleproject
Image Credits
Tony Bee
