Your mid-year reset: 5 essential focus areas to make the most of this year

August 19, 2025

It’s the middle of the summer and this always feels like a good time to reflect on the year so far. What have you done in your personal and professional life? What have you experienced? What went well? What didn’t go the way you had hoped? What were some unexpected (hopefully happy) surprises along the way?

And most importantly: what do you want to focus on for the remainder of the year? What’s a topic that can help you with whatever you would like to achieve or experience or become? How do you want to feel?

I’ve made a selection of my favorite blogs in five categories I think might be helpful. I hope there’s something that sparks a thought or insight for you. I’d recommend you start with whatever theme speaks to you most,

Even if you don’t have the time, energy or inclination to reflect on the first half of the year, I do recommend you pick something to focus on for the remaining months. Because what you focus on, you attract. Or where attention goes, energy flows. In that light it’s better to be very conscious of your attention 🙂

1. Personal growth and development

These articles help you get clear on what needs your attention and where you can make conscious choices and changes to grow—so that you can be sure that you’re using your time and energy for things that feel aligned and bring you the most joy and fulfillment. Life’s too short to be miserable!

Beat the bots while maximizing joy and fulfillment.

To stay ahead of the bots, I believe you need to lean into your zone of genius! Here’s how to do more of the things you do best and increase your job satisfaction as well! Read article here.

How to align your time and energy with what you actually want.

We have a limited amount of time and energy each day. So you better be certain that you’re doing the things that are most important and aligned for you! Here’s how to take control of your time and choices. This unique WilDoe Matrix helps you identify what’s draining your energy and what’s missing from your life so that you can make more aligned choices with what you choose to be doing in both your personal and professional life. Read article here

Don’t wait for the wake-up call to wake up!

We tend to resist change and often use these seemingly reasonable reasons as an excuse. Where are you holding yourself prisoner? I highly recommend listening to the subtle nudges you get so there’s less to fix than when you wait for that full-out wake-up call. Trust me 😉 Read article here.

2. Energy Management and Awareness

Have you been taught these fundamental basics for life?

It’s interesting how as we grow up, we are taught so many things but rarely do we learn something as fundamental as taking care of our well-being. I had to figure these things out myself. Mostly because what I did do wasn’t working. Here’s how to feel at home with yourself & say yes to what you need. Read article here.

My #1 tip to have more energy

Most of us need more energy and more time. 😉 By learning how to manage your energy, you’ll discover you can have more of it. So that you can check one more thing off your to-do list—or even better—do something fun! Read article here.

5 hidden dangers of our urge to be productive

Most of us feel the need to be productive for a variety of reasons, and it’s damaging our health and happiness. Here’s how and what to change. Read article here.

3. Uplevel your Self-care

Practical self-care: what your mind and body really need

Let’s get clear what true self-care actually means. And where to start when you want to make sure you’re taking good care of yourself. Contains practical tips you can start implementing right away. Read article here.

20 limiting beliefs that sabotage your self-care (and how to overcome them)

Why do you skip self-care? These 20 limiting beliefs might be sabotaging you. Learn to overcome guilt and other obstacles so you can prioritize your well-being. Read article here.

My top 3 tips for self-care in crazy times

In stressful times I know one of the first things that goes out the window is self-care. Because you simply don’t have the time. Or you’re too busy being stressed or worried, perhaps you’re grieving. These are all understandable reasons why self-care might not be a priority. But I believe it should be. Here’s why and how. Read article here.

(If you know anyone who is going through a break-up or divorce, they might benefit from these specific self-care tips.)

4. Burnout prevention

The first signs of stress

Most of us have gotten used to always be ‘on’. But when is pushing yourself to keep all those plates spinning becoming too much? It’s important to know the most common signs of stress. Because when you know what to look for—in yourself and others—it becomes a little easier to recognize stress early and take action. Read article here.

5 ways to immediately lower your stress

When you’re stressed, you need to do something not just to relax, but to get rid of the stress hormones you’ve build up in your body. You need to let your body know that you are safe. Here are 5 practical tips to combat stress you can apply right away. Read article here.

I wish I had listened when people told me this…

I was stubborn and didn’t believe them when they told me I had to be careful to not get burned out. I thought I was doing fine. Don’t make the same mistake I did or your health and well-being will suffer. Read article here.

5. Life transitions and change

How to stay centered in time of crisis

The world is changing at an ever-increasing pace and it seems crises have become so common that they’re to be expected. Whether that’s at a world scale, in your own home or even the privacy of your mind. Here are five powerful tips to help you navigate life when you’re faced with a crisis. So that you can stay focused on what needs doing. Read article here.

How to keep smiling in a world that’s gone crazy

In a world that’s gone crazy, I believe it’s your job to manage your focus and how you’re feeling so that you are actually enjoying the life you are living as much as you can. It’s not easy to keep a positive outlook when you’re surrounded by negativity. But it’s possible. Here’s how. Read article here.

Why you may feel like doing nothing

I know we tend to feel lazy when we feel like doing nothing. But sometimes (okay, often) listening to your body is the smarter course of action. These 3 important reasons indicate why listen to your body when you feel like doing nothing will help you get more done as a result. Counterintuitive but true! Read article here.

I hope these articles provide you with inspiration for what’s going on in your life. I also hope you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy some downtime this summer. That’s exactly what I’m doing right now. 🙂

Need support navigating your life? Iris van Ooyen is your guide to hope when life feels uncertain. In the moments when you feel lost and don’t know where to turn, Iris offers clarity, support, and a path forward. She’s the author of Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You Need to Live a Life You Love. Contact Iris to help you navigate life’s pivotal crossroads with confidence and purpose.