Tell us about yourself?
I am Hydi H. Hoost (yes, alliteration is my middle name 😀 ). I live in a village just outside Amsterdam, close to a natural reserve in a lovely house. Just the right sacred and quiet place to be with my daughter and son, they are age 20 and 17. I am a professional personal stylist, a DJ who likes French chansons. My main job is working as a freelance HR advisor for companies. I am an optimistic person.
We spoke about your career. Can you tell us about both jobs?
After high school, I did two studies: first, fashion school, and I worked in fashion for a while for two successful fashion retailers. And during my latest job at Esprit that time, I enrolled for a part-time study, Human Resources Management. Going back to school and work at the same in the HR field turned out to be a good choice. I loved every minute, using my brains after some time of being in the retail business.
I worked very hard but enjoyed every minute of being a student again. I started at a law firm as a human resource advisor. Finally, I ended up as an HR manager at Airmiles. But after the birth of my second child, I felt the urge to unleash my creativity in designing. I came up with the idea to start my own business selling children’s bed textiles to fancy children’s stores. I created products like folklore gingham bedsheets embellished with vintage lace, cushions made out of African wax prints on one side, and gingham fabrics on the other side.
I could use my fantasy, my love for fabrics and haberdashery, photography, and my good sense of selling things in my own small business. After a while, I expanded the wholesale with a webshop. At that time, one of the first webshops offered DIY materials like fabrics and such in the Netherlands. After 10 years, I was done with the business. I decided to focus on HR again. Because I missed working in a team with other people. This time as a freelancer.
My love for music turned out as a DJ, and during the way, I also become a personal stylist. People, fashion, music all combined in my styling consults with the men and women who want to bring change in their unique style and personality.
What’s the best and worst part of getting older for you?
Best: it is true what they say about getting older; you don’t react to everything anymore- the “laissez-faire” attitude—a matter of seen this, done that. And my skin is more fabulous than ever. So people often think I’m younger than my actual age. It was the other way around when I was 15. Because of my height (I am almost 1.80 cm), adults assumed I was much older.
Worst: being a single mum means taking care of the kids all the time, even at this age. So I don’t take much time for dating guys. Actually, I didn’t expect at the age of 53, I was still on the hunt for a love partner! It’s one of the things I bear in life at the moment. Sometimes I despair, but most of the time, I am sure another love will come around. I know for sure I am guided by my guardian angels. They give me the signs to get along, to live my life and dreams. So for me, there’s always hope and perspective, even in uncertainty.
Any regrets in life?
Staying in relationships for so long with people who claim their freedom at all costs. I myself did not. I wished I traveled some more in my life to foreign countries and being much more courageous about it. I wished I got a coach much earlier to unleash the anger and fears about my parents’ divorce. It would have saved me the troubles I faced in my love life.
Best new discovery
A golden oldie in the beauty scene, but I just discovered it. Using an ice tub filled with herbs on my face. It makes my skin super soft!
What Keeps You Up At Night?
Well, I am in menopause for some years now. So there was a time I woke up at night at 03.00 o’clock some days in a row. That really sucks. Nowadays, I fell asleep right away.
If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you write?
From the age of 17, I was afraid of becoming an adult. I couldn’t imagine how to live life. So I would say to myself: You are beautiful and safe. You will find your purpose in life. Don’t be insecure and be a daredevil. Be sweet to your inner soul and hold on to what you already know: kindness is everything. And play joyfully with your femininity.
How do you stay healthy? Both physically and mentally?
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease a few years ago, after 7 years of tremendous pains. I didn’t know my body was that ill. I got surgery, and the intestinal problems were getting milder. The inflammation is suppressed with medicine that requires having an injection every eight weeks. I do that myself. My aim is to get rid of the medication and the illness and healthy, loving life. I kickbox every week with a personal trainer. I meditate by walking in nature.
Mentally: I read a lot of interior and fashion magazines, books. I love to write in my journal, see friends, interior, listen to music, play the ukelele, and be creative. Also like to cooking and reading cards (kaarten trekken, zoals Innercompass).
What is the first thing you do in the morning to start your day positively?
My beauty routine is cleaning my face with 100% natural beauty products from Colour and Spice and taking a shower. Water, to me, is the best beginning and end of the day; since Corona, I try to take a walk in the mornings.
What is your age, and how old do you feel?
Age is just living a journey through time and phases. I am 53 right now but more conscious about the most essential things in life. Actually, saying all this, how must one feel at the age of 53? What I wish for is finding rest and peace within myself. That, to me, is much more of value than my age.
