Summer Transition

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” - rumi

Depending on your worldview and personality type transitions can be a mixture of emotions and easily embraced or intensely resisted. In my case it has been a mix of both this summer. Often, I think of summer as a time to slow down, for rest and reflection, spending more time outdoors, and hanging out with the family. This summer is no different with the exception of a major life change in my career and for our family. Transitions are bittersweet. This summer has been a season of change with endings and beginnings. A time of loss and grief, and a time of great joy and celebration.

As I enter into my 29th season as a higher ed administrator, summers often spark an internal pull to take stock and consider making changes. The collective trauma of the coronavirus pandemic, closures, and racial wreckoning of 2020 forced me to pause, reflect, reassess and take extra care of my health and well being. Drawing on lessons learned during the pandemic, I have made an intentional effort to pay closer attention to what has heart and meaning especially during times of great transition.

During the pandemic, I experienced feelings of isolation, alienation, burnout, and fatigue at work. My stress and anxiety about the future was heightened. I contemplated my future in higher education, weighed career options while co-parenting and working remotely. I explored different possibilities like starting my own consulting practice, pursuing leadership development opportunities and applying for a college presidency, or leave higher education altogether.

I started my exploration and planning process to elevate my own learning and leadership and give myself a creative outlet. I set out to develop a personal website and launch my own higher ed consulting business with the help of an amazing business coach, Paloma Concordia, CEO/Founder of PapaLodown Agency. After many hours of working on the design, and a series of virtual meetings, my website launched in 2022, I began consulting on small projects, and Claire Oliveros Consulting, LLC officially formed. My consulting services are focused on offering racial equity coaching, workshops and keynote presentations related to leadership and social justice in higher education.

Simultaneously, I began searching and applying for presidency positions. My pursuit of a presidency was guided by my hope and desire to advance racial equity and improve student success outcomes at the helm of the organization and make an impact on institutional change with other like-minded colleagues. I connected with a handful of friends and trusted colleagues for advice and support. I weighed these options with my partner and ultimately determined it is the best time to pursue my interests to serve and stay true to my core values. And, to find an environment that valued and appreciated my lived experience, expertise, and leadership skills. After completing a series of applications, interviews, and many rejection letters later, I landed a presidency at one of the top colleges and districts in the country located in Southern California near my family.

By remaining in touch and true to my core values along with persistence, determination, and stick-to-itiveness it made a difference in landing the right job at the right time. Although, there were many days I wanted to give up and stop. My loving partner encouraged me every step of the way. He would say “keep going” and I did! Applying for a presidency is “not for the faint of heart” as someone once told me. I look forward to sharing more about my experience with the search process and preparing for a presidency in a future post.

I have been in a constant state of transition for several months now. I am in my second month as college president and there is so much to see, do, and learn. In the early weeks I wanted to pinch myself to make sure that this was really happening, and there were other days I experienced a homesickness for familiarity and comfort. There is so much newness happening all at once that I felt disoriented at times. And I know it won’t always feel like this. The joy and sense of accomplishment in knowing I have ascended to a college president from where I have come from and where I have been is powerful and empowering. My success is my family’s success; my friends’ success; and the success of the Filipinx community that has helped shape my trajectory. I have landed in a great place with amazing people. I remain hopeful and inspired by the possibilities of what is to come.

This past year and in recent months, the road traveled has been filled with a variety of conditions with speed bumps, detours, and construction signs up ahead which have tested my strength and resilience to persevere in trying times. I stayed on this road, read the signs, and made it to the other side with the help of a close knit circle of family and friends to serve as a bridge, road trip companions, and to play an inspiring soundtrack to help me keep going. This circle of support allowed me the space and permission to keep in touch with my core values intact, be sustained in love and community, and remain hopeful that brighter days are ahead.

I am grateful to share with you a working list of practices and people that I rely on to cultivate a holistic justice-centered approach to conscious living. I am lucky to be part of a barangay (Tagalog word for community or village) that uplifts and sustains me and my family during these times. Our barangay have been co-conspirators for justice, a healing place, and support system providing a lifeline to thrive and flourish through the toughest of transitions.

Here is a working list of radical self care practices to help cultivate inner peace and a more just world.
Time in nature - walks outside are a great way to shift your mindset and get a change of scenery.
Mindfulness meditation - practice sitting, stillness, and breathe work.
Racial justice healing space - group/individual therapy with BIPOC practitioners grounded in understanding impact of unhealed racial trauma and internalized racism.
Movement and exercise.- take a zoom or in person fitness class, play your favorite songs, and dance like nobody's watching.
Rest is resistance - unplug, close your eyes, lay down, and rest from the internalized pressure to hustle and grind all of the time.
Radical journaling - reflect, contemplate, and write down your thoughts without judgment.
Volunteer and donate to social justice community based organizations - contribute what you can, and when you can to local grassroots organizations working for social change.

While in Northern California, we are grateful to have created a strong barangay of support and care. I am lucky to have found an amazing community that is not place bound by zip codes and state lines. I draw inspiration, motivation, strength and comfort from the following Filipina, BIPOC and Women-owned businesses who have been a part of our barangay and chosen family today and throughout the years.

For Inspiration - Please check out this growing list of individuals and organizations doing radical and creative work for a better future. I hope you find these community resources helpful like I do.