brittanykayann

[brittanykayann]

I remember the callouses forming on my hands as my wrists swung from each bar of monkey bars. The whoosh and tingle of blood rushing to the soles of my feet as my little legs jumped down to the dirt. And running around free, filling my little lungs up with so much cool air that my chest would burn. I can feel still feel the sting of a skinned knee from a trip over my own shoe laces.

I remember playing with whoever I wanted and sticking to my core outdoor activities. I remember the smell of recess in the spring before the rain. The feeling of getting a tiny pebble stuck in my shoe from the playground, and not digging it out until gym class. Playing happily and independently at times, because even at a young age, I enjoyed my alone time. (I still do.)

In Kindergarten and first grade, I think this is the time most of our gifts are revealed to the world and we are our most authentic self. I think many Parents get nervous for their kids just joining kindergarten, which is normal. Parents, I urge you to try to embrace and be excited for this monumental experience. And it you’re not parents, try to remember when you were in kindergarten or first grade. Because I believe this is our natural state of who we all are down to the core. This is a major point in time where we decide who we really are. Where we listen to our selves. We don't know hate. We only know love. We do not judge others. And I think this is when some of us, if not most of us, receive our calling and purpose. In the early stages of primary school.

I remember my calling, and I’m sad to admit that into my early adulthood, I neglected it. Although I’m glad to say I’m back at it. In first grade, we as a class were to write a little hardcover book. For the first time, I wrote my own creative thoughts into a nice hard cover book our teacher polished up for us once we finished. I can still feel the pride I felt once completed.

From there, I was hooked. I wrote short shorties nearly everyday. I wrote stories about aliens and traveling to mars, bunnies and snakes, adventures to a land with dinosaurs, and always let my imagination run wild. As I grew a little older, I wrote poetry. Hundreds of poems I still have. I would stay in from recess and write alone, because the state of flow I was in when writing was far greater than playing four square.

But this isn’t just about me. I remember seeing other kids fall into their talent. I specifically remember a boy who fell quickly into a talent of drawing and art. I remember the pride on his face as he immaculately drew a reflection of a sunset on Lake Michigan. It inspired others, including myself to draw that same sunset.

My point is that at early age, we have the ability to learn and inspire, and be inspired. With the new school year coming up, it’s really a time for new beginnings for everyone. I ask you to not forget your inner kindergartener or first grade self. Be true to your authentic self. Are you making your kindergarten self happy today? Would she/he be proud of you? To this years parents and teachers, embrace the new kindergarten class this year, for oh what beauty these souls will bring to the world, and you’re lucky enough to be a part of it.

[brittanykayann]

I remember the day I graced the graduation stage. That day, I became a college graduate. My first title.

Soon after, I was a ________.

Because I still wasn’t sure how to fill that blank. It took me 3-4 good years to fill in my______________. For the longest time, I thought what I did for a living was my _________. I wanted to be prepared for the “What do you do?” question. Practicing my 30 second elevator pitch in the mirror, quickly summing up my story of who I was. I wanted to come off as sophisticated, smart and sound like I was on the path of success. Wasn’t I?

After college, I got what I wanted. A job that paid a lot of money for being 21 and freshly ripe out of college. You know what else I got? Depressed. Because I was working my life away 12-14 hr days, just so I could try to fill in my___________. I didn’t grow up having a lot of money, and I thought that success and happiness were synonymous with money. I would tell everyone that crossed my path that I was going to work hard and make a lot of money. I’ve always been a go-getter.

I thought I had learned my lesson when I quit that job, but I didn’t. I went on to the next one. This time, I wanted the glamour of business travel and a high responsibility job at 22 that was above my head, and I still wanted a lot of money. And I got it. I couldn’t believe it. A high profile job, managing 150 accounts, business travel and board meetings with C-level executives.

You know what else I got? Failure. I went on again, as many millennial’s do, to find another career to define my_________. I really wanted and needed to figure it out. I’d had it with myself and lack of identity. I was running out of time, walking around identity-less. No 30 second elevator pitch. Nothing to impress anyone with.

Then it hit me. What if already was?

Like so many of us, I got lost in titles and pride. I got lost in what I thought I wanted to be, instead of being who I am and being happy being me. I got stuck in black hole of identity that so many of us get stuck in. Thinking that maybe climbing a corporate ladder to get the top will fill your___________. But in my short experience, in my grandeur of failures and lessons learned, I can tell you no career will fill your ____________.

No emoji’s on the top of your instagram headline will define you, either. I was inspired to write this because I noticed that maybe a lot of you might be experiencing what I was experiencing, too.

Go on instagram right now, and I guarantee you’ll see so many people struggling to tell the world their story in 140 characters or less, or to tell their______ story in a summary of books, graduation hats, airplane and engagement ring emoji’s. I have an emoji, too, on mine. I’m not down talking emoji’s here, I’m trying to look deeper than the surface. I’m trying to open hearts and eyes to a problem I think many people our age face. Emoji’s aren’t the problem. You being unsure of your value and who you really are is the problem.

Some people want us to know they travel, they are a fitness professional, they are business leaders, agency buffs, marketing queens, but really, deep down they are____________, too. Still trying to figure themselves out. But I think, the sooner we stop trying to find our ___________ to define who we are, we may actually allow ourselves to be who we really are.

Many of us are sisters or brothers, girlfriends or boyfriends, husbands or wives, fathers or mothers, best friends, kind, loving and genuine people. We aren’t what we do. We are who we are. It’s that simple. And I know firsthand what it’s like to feel like you aren’t sure about your identity. But I challenge you today, to throw out your title for a second. Shred up your 30 second elevator pitch and look in the mirror. Who are you really? And how can the person looking back become grow happier and more fulfilled?

And the next time anyone asks “What do you do?” think about how you want to honestly answer it. Today, my answer is “I love my life and follow my heart.” My _________ cannot be defined by social media headlines or by my career title. Not ever. My ________ is so much more than that, and so is yours. Don’t forget who you really are and don’t take that person for granted. Not ever.

[brittanykayann]

​​​​ A Letter to my Unborn Child ​​​​ (Happy Mother’s Day To Me) ​ Guess how much I love you? I know you aren’t yet here, but I want you to know before you take your first breath on earth. ​I know it may seem silly to write a letter to you this early, but it’s Mother’s Day. This day has me thinking of us. It may sound selfish to all “real” moms out there, but deep in my heart I am already your mommy, even if you aren’t here yet. ​I’ve worn many titles and I’ve accomplished quite a lot in my short life (I hope I make you proud!), but the title “Mom” is the one I’ve been working the hardest for. To me, that’s the most important title I’ll ever have, next to “Wife” “Daughter” “Sister” “Friend” and even “Grandma” someday, if we’re lucky. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, that’s a long ways away. ​Mommy and daddy both have great mommies and daddies who showed us examples of how to be good parents, but mostly how to love you very much. Our mommies and daddies will be your grandparents, and your grandparents can’t wait to meet you. They are already bugging us about you. You are that special! ​You see, I’ve been waiting a while for you. And I’m still patiently waiting for you, because I want to give you the best life I can. Although I know life is not always planned out perfectly, and there are plenty of mommy’s who are good mommies at all different ages and walks of life, I wanted to give you the best life I possibly can. ​My mommy was a very young mommy. She was a fun, hardworking, loving and special mommy! But I saw how hard she had to work to take care of me, because it isn’t easy being a mommy. My mommy did the best she could and taught me a lot. I think I’ll be an even better mommy for having her as mine. And your daddy’s mommy taught me a lot, too! She is kind and loving to everyone she knows. And she raised the best daddy you’ll ever meet. Your daddy is a great man because of having her as his mommy. ​ Since being a mommy is hard work, I finished college so your mommy can have plenty of opportunities in her life. I want to show you how hard work does pay off. I will also need to keep up with how smart you are going to be. I know we are going to teach and learn a lot from each other. I’ve had a few different jobs since college, but I had to find one that makes me happy. I had to leave a couple jobs that made mommy really sad, so you can have a happy mommy who loves what she does every day. I think you deserve the happiest mommy! Don’t you? I promise I will only seek fulfilling work that makes me smile. I want our home to be a positive and happy one, because life is too short to not live happy every day. ​The best part yet--I met and married the best daddy in the world. He loves your mommy very much, and your mommy loves him very much, too. A strong marriage is important, and we are taking our time right now building it up to be prepared for you. You deserve a mommy and daddy who show you that true love is real and marriage is meant to last forever. ​ Mommy and daddy have really been living it up! We’ve travelled quite a bit, have late nights with friends, tasted fine wines and we still have more adventures to take before you’re here. Because when you’re here, we will focus on YOU! We can’t wait to share our stories with you and take you on adventures with us one day. Daddy is pretty fearless, so you are in store for fun vacations! He will push you past your comfort zone (like he does with mommy), but when you look back, you will be so happy to have a tough daddy who made you stronger by doing things that make you afraid sometimes. Like hiking a mountain or flying an airplane. ​Even though he is still waiting for you patiently, I know you will be the light of his life. He is working very hard for you, too. He works hard at his career, so mommy has a cozy home to nestle you up in someday. Being a daddy is hard work, too. Daddy finished college and has since worked harder than anyone I know to be where he is in his career. You’re going to be so smart; we both have to keep our brains sharp for you. ​ Daddy is “mr.fix it” in our house. He is a handy daddy who can fix almost anything! He’s a fun, silly, hardworking daddy. Both our daddy’s are fun, silly and hardworking! You are lucky to have these men in your life. Your daddy will play games with you, while I am cooking you healthy green food, which you may not like so much, but I want you and daddy to be healthy and strong. He is very smart, too! He has a lot of energy and will teach the things mommy knows nothing about, like how to change a flat tire, do your taxes and manage money (mommy likes to shop, you’ll thank me for this when you have the coolest toys!). ​Mommy and daddy are still working hard together to set up a life for you that you can be proud of. We aren’t waiting because we don’t want you here. It’s quite the opposite. We are waiting because your life means so much to us. We love you this much already, that we are still preparing our nest for you. I know our nest is still under construction, but when the time is right, you and I will go on a journey just the two of us before your first breath. You’ll start out the size of a blueberry and you’ll grow and stretch out mommy’s belly like a watermelon. It’s going to be long and difficult journey, but our little journey will be one of the most special moments of my life, because I’ll finally get the promotion I’ve been working so hard for—Mommy. Until then, my love… ❤️Your mommy By: Brittany Bacinski

[brittanykayann]

And don't you forget it! 💋

[brittanykayann]

"It is a terrifying thing to bring your inner life out of the closet and read it aloud to a group... Because I encourage excellence, and each of us has our own excellent, and excellence only comes with not being afraid of who you are. To learn to speak your truth honestly with a clear voice takes lots of practice, and every trick in the book to keep you going down the arduous, cruel, lonely, glorious path of a writer."- Tom Spanbauer. . . Skipped the gym to embark on an even bigger dream of mine. Started writing a book that I've been piecing together and jotting down for years. Who knows how long it'll take me, but I finally got it started. And I'm taking it day by day until this dream has come true.

[brittanykayann]

Perfect fall Sunday in Ferndale 💛

[brittanykayann]

Hi, my name is Brittany Bacinski, and I'm addicted to green juice. @drought

[brittanykayann]

A nice post yoga message. Went to my first ever yoga class tonight and loved it! For me, it was a great spiritual connection, as well as slowing down my active and anxious mind. Relaxing with a cup of ginger tea and full of good energy before bed. 😴 Good night and good vibes!

[brittanykayann]

Goooood morning! Loving my breakfast lately. Crispy kale with two eggs over easy and maple oats! Then two hours later... I'm chugging a protein shake😂. I aim for about 100-120g of protein a day. Keeps me full and helps burn my fat for me 😉 Nutrition is key!

[brittanykayann]

#transformationtuesday left is 2 weeks out from my show in April, right was last night. Hovering around 6-7 lbs over stage weight. . . Not mad about it. No reason to be super lean right now, anyway....but not allowing myself to get any heavier. Someone at the gym called me thick the other day.... That was my cue to watch it 😂😜

[brittanykayann]

🎶 And when I get that feeling, I need Co-co-Mel healing! 🎶 . . . THESE 🙌 The BEST gluten free Vegan caramels out there. I only need one, they are so decadent and full of flavor. 1 piece is 5g of sugar, not so bad. Moderation, not deprivation. 🔥 #cocomel #vegan #glutenfree #treats #iifym #iifymgirls #moderation #balanced #dairyfree #foodallergies

[brittanykayann]

Carrot cake for breakfast? Alllllriiighty then. 🍰🐇 . . Found this oatmeal at the little health food store in Ferndale. I love the integrity of ingredients in the products they carry, I always feel at home when I shop in health food stores. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm addicted to them. 😉

[brittanykayann]

Lift heavy. Be mindful of your nutrition. Get your heart rate up. Repeat. No, you won't get "too big"... You'll get "too big" by doing nothing at all. . . . P.s I don't always look super muscle heavy just walking around, I look a lot like the girl on the right. I just have super flexing powers brought on by the heavy lifting 😜

[brittanykayann]

Whatever average is, I know I don't want to be it. #ambition

[brittanykayann]

Calories or cancer? Health over aesthetics, people! Stop with the "calorie free" junk that is full of chemicals and carcinogens. Is it worth it? Is saving the calories for your "fit bod" worth it? How about trying to not "fit" your bod into a coffin years too early. How about that? Food is fuel. Sick of seeing people in this fitness industry spreading and promoting brands like waldensfarms calorie free syrups and quest bars around like they are the best thing since sliced bread. Wanna know what is? HEALTH. Eat your veggies and thank God you woke up today.

[brittanykayann]

Man of my dreams. My best friend. My husband. #bacinskischapter1 #anniversaryweekend (at Bonobo Winery)

[brittanykayann]

Bundled up by the fireplace, watching the sunset at the vineyard last night with my love. 🍁🍇🍷