SXSW Is Over. Now What?

It seems like far too often, our daily lives are pretty routine. We read the same publications on our commute, visit the same websites, and complete our responsibilities (and anything that goes along with them) as long as they are within our neat little box of daily life. Oftentimes, these types of routines become so habitual that they become hard to break.

While I could provide a list of 100 things that I loved about SXSW, to me, the most valuable aspect was being able to break my routine and just open my mind up to new things that make me stop and think in a different way. Things that I have absolutely no prior experience with, and perhaps no application in my life currently, but they’re just pretty darn cool. Here are some of my favorite eye-openers:

Virtual reality? Sure, why not. I haven’t played a video game since Nintendo 64, but the session sounded interesting so I went. What I learned was that the applications for VR in our daily lives are pretty much endless. It’s not just for gamers. It could be applied to education, to medicine, even to help with coaching for job interviews. 

What’s it really like to start a start-up? I have no plans to start a start-up, but I have always admired those who had the guts go for it. So I sat in on this session and took away and incredible amount of relatable info. The way many entrepreneurs think and approach their business is applicable to many aspects of life. For me, there’s much more to be learned here. And I want to learn it! 

I even sat in on a talk about coding. (Ok, this one was actually an accident due to a schedule change, but I still tried to keep an open mind.)

I came back energized, inspired, and ready to make great things. But then a week goes by, and being back in the hustle and bustle of New York City, it’s so easy to forget the warm sun, the friendly locals, and feeling of ‘any thing is possible!’.

So, back in my routine, I need to find a way to keep up the SXSW high throughout the year. Like the typical Type A person, I got out my pen and paper, and here’s there list of things to do:

- First, I started following everyone I saw speak on a panel or at a session, or that I met, heard about, etc. on Twitter. Even bite-sized bits of content can provide inspiration or a different way of thinking. 

- Next, I decided to start a passion project - something that I do just because it interests me. I know there will be a lot of valuable lessons that will come along with whatever I decide to do, but when someone asks me ‘why are you doing that?’, what answer could possibly be more satisfying than ‘because I want to’? 

- Talk to people. I saw a super inspiring speaker who told us to talk to everyone you meet at SX. Sure, that’s an easy one. Everyone is there to do the same thing. It’s warm and welcoming and easy to talk to people. But I want to apply this to my life outside SX. You never know who you’ll meet or what kind of inspiration they’ll provide to you. 

- Buy my ticket for next year! Everything about SXSW exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to go back. 

My only regret - I didn’t buy cowboy boots from Allen’s. 

Kristen Rincavage is Vice President, Account Director at Deutsch NY