In our culture, snails are not considered valiant animals — we are constantly exhorting people to “come out of their shells” — but there’s a lot to be said for taking your home with you wherever you go.” ~ Susan Cain
There’s a big to-do going on in the media about having a solo life. Though I love people, I appreciate the solitude, peace, and balance of my independence. In all this reading about the virtues of flying solo, I also happened upon quite a bit of reading about introverts, a group of people I never thought of as my people. Until now.
I have a strong introvert side.
I’m learning is that it’s not the loud, crazy party I crave, but the times I spend with a few people whom I’m close to that mean the most to me. It take a tremendous amount of energy for me to get out there and be a joiner. I do it, but in my own way. I like to ease my way in, choosing my interactions wisely and my general MO is to find a person or two in a crowded room who seem friendly and approachable. Barging my way into a group to be the life of the party just isn’t my style. I always felt a bit badly about that until I recognized the power that a thoughtful, well-tended connection can create.
SXSW 2011 was no exception. This is exactly how I proceeded through the crowd that numbered over 20,000 people. I found my way one person at a time, and in the process met so many people who I’m thrilled to see again this year. I could have gone against my nature and tried to be the extreme extrovert that many festivals like this ask you to be. SXSW made it possible for me to proceed at my own pace, in my own time. Despite all the fanfare around the big parties, there’s a way to personally connect and interact with others around every corner.
On the surface this might sound surprising since the interactive festival is all about technology. On the New York City subway, people into technology are the ones so consumed by their devices that they forget how to act like human beings. At SXSW, it’s different. We love technology. We’re mildly obsessed with it, but mostly as a means to an end, to make a human contact. Here, there’s a way to carve our own path. All we need is the willingness to try.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
Well said! I think a lot of people feel as you do – now reading your post will encourage them to be confident about these feelings. I really value my “alone” time and seek it out every day. Brings me to a place of serene peace as well,
Christa Avampato 
Reblogged this on ram0ram note book.
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Well said! I think a lot of people feel as you do – now reading your post will encourage them to be confident about these feelings. I really value my “alone” time and seek it out every day. Brings me to a place of serene peace as well,
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