Field of sunflowers with the words 'What is coming is better than what is gone' written in the sky

How to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop after cancer

June 9, 2026

I often have conversations in my head with other people. Perhaps I’m weird that way. Maybe you do it too. In this particular dialogue I was sharing my thoughts with a friend who just had her first 3-month checkup after being declared clean from cancer. As the imaginary exchange progressed, I realized I wanted to s…

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Business Champion podcast with Iris van Ooyen beside the text 'You're Not Tired'

Why being tired is not the problem

June 2, 2026

I was just interviewed for the Life & Business Champion podcast from Csaba Demeter about the concepts in my book Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You Need to Live a Life You Love. The questions were refreshing and sometimes unexpected—requiring me to think on my feet. Like when he asked me about the domi…

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An open hand held under running water, letting it flow through the fingers, the surrender of loosening your grip

When all that is left is surrender

May 27, 2026

Surrender is hard. It sounds simple in principle but I think it’s one of the hardest things we can do. Because we like to stay in control. Because we think we know the best way to achieve a result. Or because we’re afraid of what will happen. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about what surrender real…

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A person in a blue coat standing alone on a beach watching the sun set over the sea, holding an intention

Intentions work—even when forgotten

May 21, 2026

I was reminded of a powerful habit that I want everyone to know about. Today we had the closing day of my Rise mastermind. We started exactly a year ago. To the day, which is remarkable. At the beginning of our Mastermind—as I do at the start of all my programs—I had asked the participants to set intentions f…

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A single water drop hitting a still pond and sending concentric ripples outward, the ripple effects of stress

The ripple effects of stress—and how to stop them

May 13, 2026

Last week started with a lot of turmoil for several of my friends. One is currently going through chemo and radiation. The second friend was having her first checkups after being declared clean from cancer—and that understandably brought its own kind of stress. Later that day I spoke to a friend whose marriage is abo…

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A bare tree silhouetted against the Milky Way and a star-filled night sky over a dark treeline, unwinding under the stars

5 fun ways to reduce stress

May 5, 2026

I can be way too serious—and I know I’m not the only one—which is why I thought we should lean into fun today. Research-backed fun, even. As I wrote in my book Radiant, “That which brings you the most joy is what will bring you the most!” That got me thinking about doing more things that we enjoy. I thi…

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A doctor measuring a patient's blood pressure with a cuff and gauge at a desk, tending to your own health too

Caring for yourself while caring for others

April 28, 2026

When everybody leans on you it can feel impossible to carve out time for yourself. When you feel you’re responsible for everything and everyone, or when everyone turns to you when things need to get done—chances are you’re running yourself ragged. This is for the caregivers, the nurturers, the people who go ou…

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Iris van Ooyen in a close selfie on a beach at sunset, the low sun over calm sea behind her, sensitivity as a gift

What if my sensitivity can save your life?

April 21, 2026

Being a highly sensitive person (HSP) isn’t always easy. As I’ve shared before, I didn’t realize I was super sensitive until my late twenties. That means for about three decades I felt like something was wrong with me because I didn’t respond to things the way people around me did. Since they were the majori…

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Close-up of a white iris with delicate purple veining, a real garden flower photographed by Manon Paardekooper — human-made art, not AI

What are you feeding your brain?

April 14, 2026

You may have heard that you’ll become like the five people you spend the most time with. And I certainly think that has a big influence on your worldview and approach of life. But what you let into your brain is equally important in my opinion. I’m very mindful about what I consume and allow in. Being thoughtful…

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Iris van Ooyen, Life Transformation Mentor behind a bouquet of pink flowers

Will people still like me when they see who I truly am?

April 7, 2026

Most people worry about what other people will think about them. I know we shouldn’t. You know you shouldn’t. That doesn't mean we don't. It reminds me of what one of my first mentors said, “What other people think of you is none of your business.” Very true but not always easy to put into practice. Our …

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Iris van Ooyen I Life Transformation Mentor excited
© 2026 Bright Eyes by Iris van Ooyen

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