Playing

Irize has done various different jobs in her life - in offices, service industries, and in the performing arts. Currently she earns her bread at a publishing company, and at her therapy practice. 

Between 2013 and 2023 she was a part-time piano teacher. What started as a hobby next to her day job, asked for more of her time, dedication and commitment. Therefore her therapy practice was temporarily closed for ten years. 

While she taught her young students to play piano, they in turn taught her that without playing life can be simply dull.  Finding ways to play became a new and exciting adventure. Finding joy in all avenues of life becomes possible if active play is part of every day. We have to find out for ourselves how to play, by discovering what gives us joy.

Writing

For as long as she remembers, Irize has written something every day. One can say that writing is her passion. Since 2016 Irize Loots' writing developed into projects. 

In her language of origin (Afrikaans) two novels, two novelettes, and a poetry collection were published. She also enjoys writing in English. Her first English work (a memoir) was published in 2026. 

Till the end of the sentence...

Irize loves to write, and has always enjoyed it. When she is with herself, she sits down and writes down her thoughts, feelings, (shorter or longer) stories, and she often discovers her own wisdom while writing. Sometimes she writes poetry, and sometimes it becomes something else. 

Occasionally she writes blogs and food-for-thought inspirational pieces during quiet moments of contemplation. If she has her hands free, she enjoys writing blogs too.

👉 Blogs 👈

To read more about Irize's published writing, to listen to recordings of her book presentations and/or to find links to order her books, feel welcome to page further: 

👉 Writing 👈

Irize is aware of the power of words. Therefore she takes her time. She tries to be wise with the use of language as an expression of who she is or may still be becoming. 

Life is a process of becoming, she believes. What fascinates her is diving into the process of becoming through words. What will happen? No one knows, but it is worth exploring. Writing is a creative way of playing, and it brings many gifts, and surprises. 

… wherever there is a pause, it is clear that a thought is not complete

Irize loves and respects words, and the music words may make when strung together creatively to potentially have deeper meaning while forming sentences or paragraphs. It is exhilarating when words come together to form a symphony, but it is never the aim. 

Is there instant gratification in the game of writing? "Sometimes, but not always," she says. In her perspective true pleasure lies in the process of writing, and not in the end result, though completing a project and the publication phase may also bring a sense of joy. It all takes time.

Wordless moments

Next to writing, Irize also enjoys playing the piano, taking photographs, painting and drawing or to sit still to make colourful mandalas. These hobbies are enjoyable and offer her moments of relaxation. Playing with creativity helps Irize to centre, and to come back to herself. 

Sometimes painting can be as much of a playful journey as life can be. It inspires her, and it calms her down. While she loves painting, Irize does not call herself "an artist". She simply enjoys playing with paint - she does it without ambition and without the need to impress anyone.

Though others have said that her paintings remind them of journeys, and someone once labelled her as a Process Painter, Irize does not like labels. Labels limit creativity. To see some of Irize's paintings just for fun, you may page further:

👉 Paintings 👈

Irize also enjoys meditation, and to practice Mindfulness; she reads in her free time, and loves spending time in nature, preferably while walking. 

She happily gives meditation classes and operates as a Mindfulness coach at her therapy practice. To find out what else happens in her practice, you may visit the page of:

👉 Indigo Light 👈

Though Irize can be described as a rather solitary person, she also enjoys spending time with friends and family. With most of her family living abroad, luckily she also enjoys a little travelling.