How to Find Your Identity and Style
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I come from a spiritual and academic family where both of my parents are doctors – my
mother a pediatrician, and my father a doctor of divinity, as well as a
pastor and speaker. I was choosing a course for what to take in
university, and while my dad was open to discussion, my mother wanted me
to go down the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) path because that gave me the
option of going to med school in the future.
But I knew, even
from young, that I always wanted to do something creative – I just
didn’t know what shape or form it would take. So I went to the top three
universities in the Philippines and discovered a B.S. in Tourism.
Since it met both my mother’s requirements and my own love of travel, I
settled on it, even though I sort of knew that I would change it
eventually.
Imagine how coincidental it was that in my first
year, I met some creative-minded people who were in the same boat! We
made this connection, and within the first year of uni, three of us
decided we wanted to switch to broadcast communication. It was there
that I found where I belonged. That was where I felt I got to express
myself, while I also did theater on the side.
So my advice to
young people is to follow your gut because you know deep down inside
what you are curious and passionate about. But also, give yourself
permission to fail, like changing courses in the first year of college.
You might have a sense of who you are, but give yourself the space to
evolve and change. Be affected. Be open.
One practical piece of
advice I want to give is to choose your location wisely. Tony Robbins
says, and I agree, that “proximity is power.” So do your research and
find the place that is the heart of what you want to study and explore.
It’s not just about the education that you’ll receive, but it’s also
where you’ll connect with the most like-minded people who share your
passion.
Another reason would be the way environment shapes your
choices and lifestyle. Case in point: When I studied in New York, I
lived on McDonald’s, pretzels, and pizza, which were readily available.
But later, when I studied in Vancouver, everyone where I lived was
vegetarian! That made the choice to become healthier that much easier.
On
the topic of health and wellness, celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe said
that style is speaking without having to say a word. When you’re new in
college, I think one of the things that people look for is, “Who do I
hang out with?” This is where your sense of style helps to express a bit
of your personality, and something you’re wearing can spark a
conversation or connection.
I align very much with New York
stylist Allison Bornstein, who says, “Style is wellness.” When we look
good, we feel good. Bornstein recommends identifying three words to
describe your style, and then creating looks that go with them. My three
words now are “creative” (as a drama teacher), “comfortable” (to be
able to move around), and “chic” (as part of my personal image for my
peers).
When you go to university, chances are you’re not going
to have a lot of closet space or money. So you have to be intentional
about what you bring and what you keep. My advice is to invest in basics
– classic pieces that never go out of style. Have items that mix and
match well, then jazz it up with accessories, which don’t take up a lot
of space!
When you come across an outfit that you like on
Instagram, instead of buying the very items in the look, try “shopping
your own closet” to recreate it! Get inspired and get creative.
I also want to stress seeking money-saving and sustainable solutions to grow your closet, such as shopping secondhand, at flea markets, or organizing clothes swaps. Most university towns have many consignment shops and flea markets because they know that students don’t have much disposable income. You could also try organizing your very own Clothing Auction Network (CAN), where a small group of people bring items they don’t want in their closet anymore to auction off to the highest bidder. The money raised can go to a charity of the host’s choice. It’s also a great way to meet new and interesting people!
Images: Hannah Northcott
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