Hannah Northcott is a multi-passionate creative who empowers others through fun and dynamic mind-body-heart workshops. She is a chronically curious learner, drama educator, theater maker, speaker, certified yoga instructor, and official family pancake flipper. She believes in the power of thoughts, the necessity of movement, and how style contributes to wellness. Hannah taught drama at the International School of Beijing, co-founded Well Women (a WeChat platform that connects women in China to live well, love well, and be well), has facilitated “Find Your Voice” and “Shine” workshops, and has participated in global drama festivals as an ISTA theater artist. After living in Beijing for 11 years, her family of four will move to Phuket, Thailand, in July. Hannah likes to synthesize her background in communication, media, theater, education, and yoga to create spaces for empowerment and belonging.
The following is distilled from a phone interview with Northcott:
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
This article appeared in the jingkids 2023 Graduation Issue
