XIPE: The Corporate Gap Year and Professional Renewal

She who walks with wolves learns how to howl - Quien con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña

My corporate gap year (aka Xipe) has come to an official end. Not in the way I had imagined, no, not at all. When I first embarked on this journey, I had anticipated a vast amount of well-deserved rest that would yield renewal and reconnection to my innermost professional passion. I was right about this part, but I never expected what 2020 had in store. Unbeknownst to me, when I started my Xipe a year ago, I also closed a chapter of life that would never be again, even if I wanted to turn back time and return to the life I left behind. The pandemic and social justice movements of our current times have secured this reality.

During this time dedicated to me, I reverted to my natural state of a self-proclaimed night owl, where my most constant companion was Meztli, the thoughtful Aztec lord of the moon and night. Through her glimmer, I found the strength to fall out of my comfort zone and explore the possibility of different paths.

It was during the last twenty-five years of work that I configured the vision of my life. The people around me, executive professionals, were driven by metrics, growth, mission, and value statements. They lead, motivated and inspired teams. Many of these leaders invested time and energy into my development and helped me believe that I could aspire to earn a seat at the elusive executive 'table'. I accepted their assertions and imagined such a future. I thrived in the corporate environment and mastered the art of making the uncomfortable my terrain. HR leadership became my default, second nature, something I do well. Yet, I often wondered if my passion remained in human resources, or was it possible that I was missing a different way, a distinct path to reaching fulfillment?

I thought about this often during the last year, Meztli helped illuminate the way. Although the pandemic canceled my travel plans, I still had a year full of adventure. During the year, I got caught up with many of the books I yearned to read, and I wrote more than ever. I took a novel in a year class with StoryStudio Chicago, where I found endless support, empowerment, and new connections. Through this new network, an artist asked me to participate in a reading where I shared an excerpt from my work in progress. Besides all that, I received an invitation as a guest in The Intersection with Nancy Harris podcast. I also took the initial steps to create a social media presence and envisioned different ways that will allow me to continue giving back to my community. While during my free time, I began consulting and leveraged my leadership skills differently. Through my many activities, I have expanded my circle of influence. My business acquaintances remain a source of inspiration, MOV my rock, the artists' community are now my tribe who are teaching me how to howl at the moon.

In a year, I found a different way that I do not know how to abandon. I have taken a detour that has no clear destination. For now, I will continue this new journey. I don't think my corporate gap year as inconclusive, but really, as the start to something else. A life that it's uniquely mine.

To answer the year-long question, is the concept of the mid-career corporate gap year something to consider?

A resounding YES! Owooooooooooooo!

Stream of Thought

The mythical tale

of life and success,

of what should measure

victorious attempts.

Not just one path,

a fit all illusion,

the nine to five

not the only solution.

The measuring rod

forever transformed

no need to conform

to unnatural forms.

Not just survive —

thrive is more like it.

I do what I want,

whenever I want,

dancing with wolves,

finding my way

to howl at the moon

it's all that now matters —

Owooooooooooooooooooo.

Tan, tan!!