Aubrey Renee — Madeline K Barry Fine Art

@aubreyyrenee

I am thrilled about a couple of things. First, to be writing my first interview blog. Second, to be able to write about the adventurous heart that is Aubrey Renee.

I first found Aubrey on Instagram (@aubreyyrenee) and the way she wrote struck something deep inside me. Though I haven't actually met Aubrey and hardly really know her, her raw way of presenting herself and the world around her makes me feel somehow that I do. Regardless of how well any of us truly know Aubrey, her viewpoint on womanhood, life, adventure, and inner peace needs to be shared as often and as widely as possible.

That being said, please go follow her page on Instagram to see who she is, and how she lives. Not only does she have some of the most whimsical and crisp photos out there, but as I read through her page her words had a way of setting something free in my heart. Specifically, the permission to be me- all that I am, and all that I am yet to be- and to fully embrace the paradox between.

Aubrey calls herself as “a deep breather, movement maker, and a believer in creating a life that sets your soul on fire.” Everything about Aubrey's way of thinking and living is adventurous. Quite frankly, it takes courage to accept who we are as women, and Audrey does just that.

Who is Aubrey?:

Describe what you do.

By day, I am a yoga teacher, writer, and probably five thousand other things.

Tell me a fact most people don't know about you

I don't advertise online what a crazy cat lady I am, but I'm sitting here typing this in a giant cat t-shirt, with a cat on my feet, a cat on my legs, and a cat standing beside me glaring for her fifth breakfast. They are also the best comic relief and I basically just spend my days laughing and taking photos of my cats.

(This is essentially all that I admire in a person)

You are doing yoga in most of your posts. How long have you been practicing and how has this changed your life?

I have been practicing yoga for about 4 years now. I met yoga at a time when I was feeling consumed by anxiety. Movement cracked me open and streamed light into all of the places I had kept closed for so long. It continues to feel like the sweetest breeze after a long hot day. Learning to connect deeply with my body and breath has given me power to care for myself and stand my sacred ground. It has softened me so.

Adventure:

What is your favorite type of adventure?

Everything! Camping, touching rocks, hiking, moving in any way with nature.

If you could travel anywhere in the world that you haven't been yet, where would you go?

I dream of so many places but lately I've been obsessively checking out books (yes, I still go to the library) on Morocco. I'm hoping to create that reality in 2017.

*** cue applause for all library geeks. We salute you ***

What is one thing you can't live without when you play outside?

I am not a gear junky, but I do love my water filter so that we can drink fresh from the source water as much as possible. It is life.

Describe the mindset you have when you set out on an adventure.

Simply to receive whatever nature, my Creator, my heart, my body is trying to give to me.

Influence:

What is your most influential platform for sharing your passions?

Instagram. I'm not naturally very good at social media. It feels very unnatural to me. If it were just about me, my words would live simply on a piece of paper in my worn leather journal, or scrawled in the dirt with a stick. What fulfills me is being in the woods, sitting on the leaves, most likely sipping a warm cup of ginger tea (always ginger tea) without a screen in site. But the passion, voice, whatever you want to call it, inside of me asks that I share, and this the platform I've been gifted, so I am forever grateful.

Again. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to go follow @aubreyyrenee. Her instagram offers so much life. More good news, Aubrey has a blog! Check her out at www.aubreyrenee.com.

[My hope for the blog is] to allow my words to stretch their legs. To grant my voice a bigger platform that just a caption on a passing photo. To love others deeply.

The Beautiful Paradox inside [Aubrey]:

What are the paradoxical passions throughout your life that first seemed to be obstacles?

I believe in following every curiosity that my heart sprouts. I don't make an income on or advertise every passion, but lately I have been interested in painting, writing prose, dancing in my bedroom, reading about elephants, rolling in the grass. Every curiosity will always fit into what I am because I allow myself to be open to them. When I step outside of the need to label and identify why and what I am, I allow the flow of inspiration to move into my space. The expressions that come out are not always predictable, but always what is true in that moment.

Describe your current heart and passion in one sentence.

Sometimes a quiet whisper and sometimes a war cry, the passion inside me is to love deeply.

How did this passion start and how is it growing?

It started in a loving family with parents who poured their life into me. It has grown through many personal discoveries of what it means to love myself. The closer I get to understanding that concept, the closer I get to understanding how to truly love others. Not as I desire, but as they need. Learning to meet myself where I am allows me to meet others where they are. Not dictating love to them, but listening deeply and feeling fully what it is that they are needing.

“That is my only desire. Not to reach a destination of completely loving myself, but to always be striving in the direction of love”

Describe your journey into becoming confident and loving who you are.

I have done a lot of work to find my current level of comfort, and at the same time, discomfort. I'm a reader, questioner, explorer. I write words. Sit in silence. Move my body. Listen to others. All of these things are the continual journey I am on that is carrying me along to where I am supposed to be every moment. I don't know that I love exactly who I am, but I continue to show up and practice these things because I know that they always soften me to myself. They open me up to something bigger. To a greater love. They allow me to soften to others. That is my only desire. Not to reach a destination of completely loving myself, but to always be striving in the direction of love.

If you could say one thing to women, what would it be?

Take up some damn space. We, as women, are so often seen as red lips and quiet thoughts. It is my desire that every woman learns to grant herself permission to step heavy and leave her mark. There is no mistake. Ever single woman is worthy of as much space as she wants to take up.

"Be loud. Be quiet. Dance. Sit still. Listen. Speak. Create. Receive. Go out. Stay in. Whatever your heart is asking for, do that. Know, without a trace of doubt, that you are meant to be here so take up some damn space. We need you.”