We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wren Holzinger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wren below.
Wren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
On a gray, cloudy morning, bright and early at 7:30 am after a lovely vinyasa class, I asked my yoga teacher, Daniel Taylor, his thoughts on the fall training at the studio. “I haven’t taken it myself but I’ve heard wonderful things!” he mused. I shared that I was leaving my job in the service industry quite soon and he replied with, “Well if you’re interested, I’m leading a training that starts next Friday!” My immediate reaction was one of self-doubt, “Oh I don’t know if I can swing that,” with a nervous laugh and a slight smile. He smiled back, “No pressure of course, but think about it. I’d be happy to offer a scholarship as well.” “Wow! Thank you…” I said as I made my way out of the studio and into the cool, fresh air.
That interaction came on a Thursday as I moved into my last weekend as a Catering Captain, serving clients, directing staff, and pondering this potential opportunity. I’ve lived in Denver for the past two years as I finished my Bachelor of Fine Arts, a stepping stone to beginning my artistic career. Over the past decade, however, another path has tugged at my heartstrings; the path of teaching yoga and holding space for others. As many of us do, I’ve pushed away this calling for years now, telling myself it’s too unrealistic, that I’m not capable of leading, and that other people do it better. I’ve told myself for years now that I am not enough. As I moved through the weekend, I gave myself the space to let go of these limiting beliefs and, for a few days, try on the commitment of taking Daniel’s offer. By Sunday, I had confirmed, added the weekend classes to my calendar for the next eleven weeks, and was working out a payment schedule for the course.
I have not known Daniel for long, but the kindness and faith in my abilities he has shown me in the past two months have been incredible. We as humans often forget that we are capable of amazing things, and need others to remind us of our gifts. Sometimes, receiving permission and acknowledgment from another is the gentle push we need to pursue our highest purpose, or dharma as it’s known in yoga. The kindness I received from Daniel was not just one of leveling the playing field financially. It has been the greatest gift of reminding me what I am capable of while guiding me down the path to pursue it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Wren, a girl from Alaska working to pursue her purpose in a multitude of ways. I truly believe that we are multifaceted creatures gifted with the opportunity to try and be many things, and my goal is to help others realize their potential through healing and art.
My journey began as a teenager when two forms of creative expression came into my life, art and yoga. At about fifteen, I began practicing yoga, taking classes before school as part of my therapeutic journey with depression. Simultaneously, I found myself up late, painting, collaging, and experimenting with my camera’s self-timer as a way to express what I was feeling. Fast forward ten years, and I am beginning to build my business, Flying Wren Productions. I create fine art and installations that explore the human duality of solitude within self and our collective need to be understood. My creative explorations and offerings expand beyond this to include functional ceramics, prints, poetry, and photography services. I am also working toward my second yoga teacher certification which encompasses the other half of my creative business. This side of my offerings includes yoga classes and monthly circles for individuals to gather in community while practicing self-love and compassion.
One of the main issues I see in our society today is the lack of space to actively listen to one another. How often do we truly take the time to practice hearing the needs of another without trying to fix them? How often do we create the space for people to show up authentically, without judgment? How often do we do these things, first and foremost, for ourselves? If we were each permitted to commit to healing our inner wounding, we would be better able to show up for the people who matter in our lives. I want future customers, clients, and friends to know that they are safe with me. That I am working every day to break down the belief systems that hold me in a place of self-judgment and limitation so that I can show up for others with love and compassion. I want every person I encounter to know that they deserve to pursue the things that light them up and that it is possible to achieve greatness with the support of community. Working towards our highest calling is the greatest gift we can give both ourselves and the world. It is certainly not easy, but with the right people by your side, it is so incredibly worth it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Since I was quite young, I knew I wanted to help others. I struggled with depression heavily throughout my teenage years and early twenties and have found healing in being seen by friends, family, and therapists alike. The self-study of yoga and meditation has drastically improved my mental health and given me an accessible way to change neural pathways in my brain. Finding expression through art allows me to process my emotions without words, which were often hard to find at various points in my life. I have collected many tools in my proverbial toolbox that I want to share with others who may be struggling like I was and still frequently do. My mission is to offer a slice of light in this often dark world. I’m not aiming to create an empire or gain a million followers. I have no interest in building a household brand that consumers around the globe know. What I am interested in is sharing support, kindness, and compassion with every person I encounter. I am working to create a space in my corner of the internet where people can come to feel heard, to know they are not alone. I want my art to brighten people’s day and inspire them to pursue their purpose. I want my budding business to be synonymous with friend, supporter, and guide.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I’ve limited myself more than anyone else in my life ever has. Sound familiar? The reason the saying, “You are your own worst critic” is a cliché is because it’s true. I often think about the countless endeavors I have wanted to pursue throughout my life that I haven’t simply because I didn’t know what the potential outcome would be. Simply because I was afraid of failure or being mocked by someone else around me. In reality, the only person doing the mocking was me. In the past few years, I have been untangling the four words, “I am not enough.” Sifting through the pile of childhood self-doubt, teenage self-deprecation, and early twenties abuse to create a new sentence, “I am enough.”
Reminder: this sentence exists in the present. It does not say, “I am enough when I get that job” or, “I am enough because I graduated.” This sentence does not come with an ultimatum of greatness. It simply says, now. “I am enough, now, always, no matter what.” The greatest lesson I am continuously learning is how to become friends with my fear, and to turn self-doubt into my biggest supporter. I have attempted and often accomplished things I never would have thought possible years ago, simply because I gave myself permission to try. Moving into my post-grad era, starting a creative business, has come a new wave of fear and self-doubt. I am learning how to listen to my fear as a compass towards where I want to go. Often the things that scare me the most are the ones that are the most important to me and my purpose. I understand that self-doubt is my brain’s way of trying to keep me safe and can acknowledge its place while reminding it that we can do hard things. Each day presents a new challenge, but I am learning how to take my fear and doubt in each hand and walk brazenly into the unknown, ready to accomplish a new feat of greatness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flyingwrenproductions.weeblysite.com/
- Instagram: flyingwrenproductions
- Facebook: Flying Wren Productions
- Youtube: Flying Wren Productions
Image Credits
Headshot image credit to Ethan Risley