The city of Austin has a very cool motto: “Keep Austin weird.” I love that. They embrace their quirkiness, their mix of business, creativity, music, wholesome living, and Texas pride. It is an odd mix, and I am so glad that I got to witness the weirdness in all its forms at this year’s SXSW festival. The friendly, open nature of Austin dwellers combined with all of the interested and interesting attendees of SXSW made for a week that exceeded every expectation I had by 10 fold. And I am demanding and full of high expectations.
My friend, Amanda, who was also here in Austin presenting with her husband, Jordan, mentioned to me several times that I appeared to be so light here. And I felt that, too. In New York I sometimes feel like I juggle so many hats that never quite fit together neatly – yoga, writing, technology, business. I always feel like I’m wearing 1 or 2 at a time, with the others safely tucked away until needed. At SXSW, I felt like I could wear them all in a very authentic way. There was some kind of shift that happened within me. Maybe that’s a result of being inspired at every turn by all of the incredible learning that I knew was always waiting for me wherever I went. Maybe this shift was available all of the time and in my daily life in New York I just couldn’t realize it.
In the coming weeks as I sort through my notes and collected business cards, I will be posting on this blog all of the insights and inspirations that I found at SXSW. What’s on my mind at this moment is how to keep this same light feeling that Amanda so eloquently described as I get back to normal life in New York. I’m certain that it’s possible. Now I just need to find the path forward.
Christa Avampato 