“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours — it is an amazing journey — and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” ~Bob Moawad, author
This is a magical moment. It’s also scary as hell. All of a sudden you wake up and you realize your life is really all up to you. You steer it. You make the choices. You build your own road. It’s a lot of responsibility. It’s also one of the greatest privileges of being an adult. You aren’t trapped. Starting right now, you can make choices to change anything and everything in your life. The road to where you want to go may be long and winding but you can start your journey in that direction right now. One tiny step leads to another.
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
5 thoughts on “This just in: Your life is in your hands”
Nice post Christa! I started following your journey via a different wordpress id back when you were blogging under Christa in New York. When the life you created in NYC was dissipating, my life here in Arkansas was also on a path of dissolution and re-creation. Your sharing and wisdom helped to keep me going one tiny step after another during that time. Thanks for that! Look forward to hearing about your next steps in life and in D.C.
Hi Jan! This is such a nice comment to receive. Yes, the URL is still Christainnewyork.com but I just changed the title to my full name for now. Life is DC is going really well. One week here and I already love it. Our lives are always in the process of creation. I’m so glad me sharing my journey has helped you as well. It’s certainly helped me to write about it. Are you still in Arkansas or have you moved to a new place?
I am still in Arkansas and in a fantastic new home in the woods. The entire moving process came together with so much support from all directions I just had to trust it was the perfect next step. Look forward to keeping up with your transition into a wonderful life in D.C.
Hi Christa, Thanks for your support. The photos in my blog posts were all taken at my home or in my “neighborhood.” There aren’t many but I hope to be adding more in the weeks to come.
Nice post Christa! I started following your journey via a different wordpress id back when you were blogging under Christa in New York. When the life you created in NYC was dissipating, my life here in Arkansas was also on a path of dissolution and re-creation. Your sharing and wisdom helped to keep me going one tiny step after another during that time. Thanks for that! Look forward to hearing about your next steps in life and in D.C.
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Hi Jan! This is such a nice comment to receive. Yes, the URL is still Christainnewyork.com but I just changed the title to my full name for now. Life is DC is going really well. One week here and I already love it. Our lives are always in the process of creation. I’m so glad me sharing my journey has helped you as well. It’s certainly helped me to write about it. Are you still in Arkansas or have you moved to a new place?
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I am still in Arkansas and in a fantastic new home in the woods. The entire moving process came together with so much support from all directions I just had to trust it was the perfect next step. Look forward to keeping up with your transition into a wonderful life in D.C.
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Jan, that’s awesome! Congratulations. Are there pictures on your blog?
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Hi Christa, Thanks for your support. The photos in my blog posts were all taken at my home or in my “neighborhood.” There aren’t many but I hope to be adding more in the weeks to come.
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