nicole paulus 6/24/22 nicole paulus 6/24/22

I Want to Share a New Project I've Been Working On....An Animal Oracle Deck for Desert People

Last winter, I escaped the cold gray winters of Berlin and decided to spend time in the magical deserts of Sedona and Joshua Tree instead. To say this was a shift in lifestyle would be an understatement. Instead of having my usually jam-packed calendar of events, workshops, Volleyball games, Ukulele lessons, dinner with friends, and date nights, my schedule was as wiiiiiide open as the vast desert before me.

At first, I was restless. I tried to say connected with friends in different time zones but it started to become tiresome. I was going to bed as they were waking up and vice versa.

The magic started to happen once I stopped resisting this new temporary lifestyle and began venturing out on my own to check out new hiking spots. Along the way, I met interesting characters both in human form as well as animal form. Because I believe symbolism is all around us, if only we have the courage and patience to dig deeper, I began researching what these “chance” animal encounters meant. More often than not, the symbolism brought clarity to a confusing situation that was happening in my life at that moment.

While visiting the “birthing cave” in Sedona, a cave where Hopi Indians would send women to give birth, a friend and I encountered a family of deer.
The meaning? Take time to cultivate your feminine earth energy so that you tune into your higher powers, hone your psychic abilities, and pick up on things that others cannot.
While driving on a dirt road in Yucca Valley to pick up food after an argument with my partner, I encountered not one but two coyotes crossing in front of the car.
The meaning? Don’t take life so seriously. No matter what challenges Coyotes face, they always find time to play.
While hiking alone on a less popular trail in Sedona I encountered a tarantula AND a rattlesnake.
The meaning? You can read about it here.

After several more encounters, I got the idea to start documenting the symbolism and eventually package them into an Oracle deck that fellow desert lovers could use to help understand the unique characteristics and symbolism of these mystical creatures. Not only do I hope the cards will help people access their intuitive gifts but I also hope that they eliminate the fear associated with some of the “scarier” desert animals, such as rattlesnakes, tarantulas, and scorpions, OH MY. Rattlesnakes, for instance, are the only snakes that give you ample warning before striking. How courteous is that?!

I believe animals have so much to teach us and that at any given moment, we can choose to embody their traits in order to help us overcome obstacles and reach new heights. They’ve certainly helped me access a greater understanding of self and my place in the world.

Are you a desert lover who also happens to adore animals? Are you someone who spends time trying to discover the deeper meaning of life? Are you always looking for tools or methods that will help bring clarity to your life? Then keep reading…

In a few months, I hope to launch a 39-page Oracle Deck for Desert People. The illustrations and descriptions are *mostly* done and are currently being read by a few trusted individuals for feedback. In addition, I have already narrowed it down to two potential printers who will sustainably print the cards and accompanying booklet. After that I will set up a Kickstarter account so that people can pre-order the cards. The reason for this is so that I can secure a cheaper rate. The more decks I order, the cheaper each deck becomes. My goal is to sell 500 decks on preorder to start.

Want to stay in the know? Wonderful! Just pass me your email below and I can add you to a list. I’ll make sure to update on the pre-orders so that you can be first in line to the divine.

1/26/17 1/26/17

Talkin' Bout a Revolution (and 2 Exciting New Projects)

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas holiday (if that’s your cup of tea) and a festive new year spent with family and friends.

I know that 2016 was disappointing for a lot of you (David Bowie leaves the earth and Donald Trump inherits it, what in the actual hell is going on, Universe?) but after attending the Women’s March in Berlin last Saturday, it’s pretty clear that a LOT of people aren’t willing to take that disappointment lying down. Me, included.

I have pledged to take action and fight back in every way possible. Before I get too far off on a tangent, however, I want to update you on a few exciting projects that I am so very proud to be a part of (it's relevant to the revolution, I promise.)

MusicTo

ReproJustice

Ok, I’ll leave it at that for now. Hope you are all as motivated as I am to go out and kick some serious butt. The world needs your strength!

7/4/16 7/4/16

When Is The Last Time You Did Something That Made You Uncomfortable?

“You traveled light (all night, every night), to arrive at the conclusion of the world’s inutterable secret, and you shut your mouth.”

— -Bay of Pigs, Destroyer

Recently I had another epiphany. I know what you’re thinking, “Oh god Nicole, not again.” Well folks—it happened—and I am not sorry about it.

A few months ago, I bought a ticket to see a band I have loved for some time. Destroyer (the band) wasn’t playing in Berlin but was playing in the neighboring city of Leipzig. Since none of my Berlin friends appreciate this band as much as I do, I decided to take the trip solo. The fact that I had a friend of a friend I could stay with (and that the bus ticket was only 14 euros round trip), made my decision that much easier.

Fast forward to the night before my trip and I was regretting my decision big time. Basically I was coming with any possible excuse so that I wouldn’t have to go.

I thought about all the things that I should be doing instead of taking a silly trip to Leipzig.
I thought about how horrible it would be to have to wake up early the next day to catch my bus.
I thought about all the things that could go wrong on the way.

When I woke up the next morning, I had a scratchy throat. “Bingo! I have an out”, I thought. But then I had another thought. “Nicole, if you stay in Berlin today, you’ll never remember this Monday. This Monday will be like any other Monday in the history of Mondays. You’ll go to the gym, then to a cafe to do some work, then watch something on Netflix before going to bed. If you go to Leipzig, however, you’ll remember it forever.”

Well that was it, my mind was made up. And boy am I glad I made this decision.

I had one of the best times of my life. Leipzig itself was like a quieter, less populated Berlin, but the show, the show was incredible. The last time I saw the band was at an acoustic performance at the Hollywood Cemetery in Los Angeles. While that experience was intimate and beautiful, this time was special -- the lead singer was backed by a 7-piece band. They played all my favorite songs including Bay of Pigs (an 11 minute roller coaster of emotions.)The best part of attending a show solo however, is that I didn’t have to worry about anyone else’s good time. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the music.

So what exactly was my epiphany?

Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations is scary, sure. Take it from someone who can literally talk herself out of anything. But guess what? When you DO put yourself in these itchy situations, you grow exponentially. Your happy quotient stretches higher and higher than you ever thought possible. Then suddenly you realize, there is NO limit to how happy you can be.

You must keep putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. If you aren’t an inherently risky person, it’s going to take a lot more work to keep pushing yourself--but the more you do it, the more inspired, fulfilled, and happy you’ll feel, I promise :)

After the show, I walked home through a lovely forest, my insides still buzzing from the magical experience I just had.

I thought about how much wisdom I get to share with my unborn niece one day.
I thought about how beautiful the world is.
I thought about how lucky I am to have so many lovely people in my life, cheering me on.
I thought about how I almost didn’t make that trip.

Being happy isn’t about reaching some level of comfort and living the rest of your days in peace. It’s about constantly challenging yourself. It’s about opening yourself up to new experiences. It’s about exploring the world around you. It’s about finding the beauty in the darkest of corners, being grateful for every beautiful soul you've had the pleasure of spending time with, and being ready to accept the many lessons that life has for you (brace yourself, there's a lot!) :)

5/10/16 5/10/16

Growing Up Isn't Always a Bad Thing

I think I might be growing up.

I know what you are thinking, “NICOLE! DON’T DO IT! IT’S A TRAP!”

Don’t worry, I am still the biggest kid you will ever meet. I don’t think I’ll ever stop making immature jokes, playing hide and go seek with my roommates, or having mid-afternoon dance parties complete with wigs and costumes. I am a giant kid and I don’t intend on losing my idiocy any time soon (no matter many times I shimmy around the sun.)

I say I am “growing up” because recently my best friend shared an article, featuring one of our former high school classmates, Jodie Wu. The article documented Wu's incredible entrepreneurial journey. Not only was she named a TEDGlobal Fellow she was also recognized as one of Bloomberg Business Week’s America’s Most Promising Entrepreneurs. Did I mention she also made Forbes’ list of 30 under 30?

For the longest time I compared myself to others. I used to think:

“What about me?”
“Why can’t I make things happen like that?”
“When will good things happen to me?”

Perhaps it was my competitive nature, or perhaps it was a result of not feeling comfortable with the path I was on. Regardless of my past transgressions, after I read this article, I didn’t feel jealous, bitter, competitive, enraged, sad, or depressed.

You know what I did feel? Happy for her for finding her passion. Proud that she had the gumption to carve out a path for herself. Impressed that she had the tenacity to follow her dreams.

Just because I will probably never invent a machine that will deliver fresh squeezed orange juice to astronauts on Mars, or sail around the world on a yacht given to me by a patient whose head I saved from being amputated, or headline a sold out ambient noise music festival in New Zealand doesn’t mean my journey is any less amazing. Everyone has a different path and the only person you should be competing with is YOURSELF. If you aren’t happy with the way things are going in your life or if you find yourself feeling jealous of others’ success then maybe you need to do some self-reflecting and re-directing.

I am finally living a life I am proud of. I am traveling the world, learning a new culture, growing my business through referrals, becoming a better friend, opening my heart to new possibilities, shedding self-doubt, living life selflessly, taking time to appreciate those I care about, challenging myself, allowing myself to really feel my feelings (whether it be joy, sadness, anger, or elation), making to do lists and celebrating when things get crossed out, treating others with compassion and empathy, giving compliments freely, fueling my body with (mostly) healthy food (but not feeling guilty if I want to eat a damn french fry), working out to get stronger (not thinner), dancing with my hands high above my head, and waking up each morning with a huge smile on my face (ok that doesn't really happen, but none of us is perfect.)

Don’t compare yourself to others. No one has the same exact magic swirling inside of you. Have confidence that you are on the right path (and if you aren’t on the right path, pay attention to that gut of yours, it will never lead you astray.) Let's practice lifting each other up, focusing on the positive, giving each other praise and being kind to each other and ourselves. Way to go Jodie!

10/30/15 10/30/15

Fill The Space You Want To Occupy

Easier said than done right? It’s much easier to whine and complain internally about the person sitting, dancing, standing, walking too close to you, than to actually do something about it. Unfortunately, women are more likely to feel wronged by someone entering their personal bubble, but often won't speak up for fear it's not ladylike or polite. Women have been taught to remain quiet, passive, and apologetic. Ever apologized when someone bumped into YOU?

Well, what if I told you that you have the power to prevent this unwanted space intrusion? And no, this is not some hippy dippy tutorial about how to change your perception and learn to tolerate everyone because deep down everyone is battling their own demons, fuck that. Instead, it’s a more proactive, preventative solution.

We as modern women have to get better at playing the offense. It's not enough to "hear us roar", we also have to literally take up more space.

To further explain what I mean, I will give you a real life example (it just so happens to have to do with dancing, because well, this is my favorite pastime, my therapy, and something I happen to be very good at.)

Picture me over there on the dance floor. There I am swinging my arms, shimmying my hips, stomping my feet, bouncing my head ever so slightly, and probably grinning from ear to damn ear. You might look my way and think, “damn that girl really does not miss a beat, is she some sort of alien?” It’s true, I won’t miss a beat, even if the DJ orchestrates a less than stellar transition.

Well that is until someone rudely bumps into me. And someone will always bump into me, whether intentional or not.

The old me would have thought to myself “get your shit together drunky, you just made me miss a beat.” or “I hate people who cannot control themselves on the dance floor.” I'd get red inside, make a sour face, and then return to dancing.

Others will insist there is enough room for them to squeeze into the space next to me.

The old me would have thought to myself, “Don’t they know that’s where my right arm goes when the beat drops? How rude.” Well guess what, they don't know, and they don't care!

You know what I think now?

I’m not doing a good job of filling the space I want to occupy. Most men know how to do this quite well. Where women are taught to constantly apologize for imposing on others, men just show up and mark their territory. Here is a great article covering the phenomena of 'manspreading'.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting you figuratively piss on every dance floor you enter, quite the contrary. All I am suggesting is that we as women should be more protective of the space we want to occupy. I know that I need a good size space for me to comfortably dance. That means I am going to guard that space like hell.

And how do you do that, exactly?

Well to start, move your body like your life depends on it. Vary your movements so no one can predict where you’ll be next. Wave your arms like those motherfuckers are on fire. And never, ever apologize. If you feel someone start to encroach on your space, use your shoulders. They are quite powerful when you alternate them back and forth, back and forth. You can also do all of this with a smile. You aren’t some greedy dance floor hog, you just want to have fun without passively letting others dictate where and how you dance.

Once you’ve mastered the art of offensive dancing, you can apply the concept to other areas of your life; while traveling on public transport, while trying to get a promotion at work, or while sleeping next to a bed hog. We will not be ignored.

Viel Glück meine Lieblinge!

*image by Unsplash.com

7/28/15 7/28/15

The Circle of Life

If you were to pick up a pen right now and attempt to draw a circle, chances are it would end up looking something like this:

Now, if you kept going around the circle with the pen, you’d probably be surprised at how circular that bad boy would become:

Lately, I have been reflecting on how my life is a lot like that second circle. The more years I am on this earth, the more I start noticing certain motifs in my life. These motifs serve as reminders that I am on the right path, that with every rotation I am becoming stronger. They give me the confidence, the self-assuredness that if I keep trusting and beliving in myself, that my inner circle will eventually be complete. I encourage you to pay attention to the motifs in your own life. Here are a few of mine:

A GOAL

*the only thing I miss about Phoenix is the burritos :p

Almost a year ago exactly, I wrote down a few goals in my journal. I was living in Phoenix, Arizona at the time (aka the arm pit of Arizona) and pretty much hating my life. Trying to keep a positive outlook, I decided to jot down a few goals that I wanted to accomplish in the coming year. Here is one of the goals I wrote down:

travel, plan a trip, save $ for a trip, move to Berlin

Anyone who doesn’t believe they have absolute control over their happiness in life should look to me as an example. Anything is possible if you really want it (and you believe in yourself.)

Jotting down future goals regularly is a great way to keep yourself focused.

MY MOTTO

I went to a picnic the other day with a group called Deutsch for Dich (literally, German for You). Deutsch for Dich was started by four teachers who wanted to offer German classes on a donation base. In addition to the classes, they also host events where students from other classes can meet and mingle. Though I had only attended one class, I thought it would be nice to go and try to make some new friends.

When I arrived, I was asked to write a German adjective on a name tag in lieu of my actual name. The only caveat -- the adjective had to describe me. Since my German ist nicht sehr gut, I asked the teacher for help. I started to describe myself in English: “well I love to travel, I love to laugh, I love trying new things.” The teacher immediately came up with the word lebenslustig. She told me that it meant “lover of life, zest for life.” Before she could continue, I showed her my forearm, "Oh, you mean Lust for Life?" (For those who don't know, I have had the words "Lust for Life" tattooed on my forearm for the last 6 years. Coincidentally, David Bowie and Iggy Pop wrote that song whilst living in Berlin. )

Get yourself a motto. Hell, get it tattooed.

ROLE MODEL

*I am the one behind the smiley guy in the black shirt.

I recently went to a book signing for one of my favorite artists, Peaches. Not only is she is a sex-positive role model for women and the entire LGBTQ community, but she is also an entertaining performer, activist, and kick ass musician.

I knew that she lived in Berlin (and might be a small subconscious reason as to how I ended up here) but I had no idea that she had a book out, nor did I know she’d be speaking and signing books. In fact, I actually found out about the event the day of. Not only was the book shop a quick 25 minute walk from my house, I was able to sneak in the front row just as the discussion was starting. During the discussion she said something that really resonated with me. She was telling the audience that she had always wanted to be a producer and was involved in theater growing up. Recently, she got the opportunity to write and direct a musical based on her life. As she talked about it, her eyes began to water and her voice began to crack. She said how amazing it was when she realized that her whole life was preparing her for this project, her dream.

Find yourself a role model then sell all your belongings and move to her same city. Just kidding, don't do that. But surround yourself with people who are doing things you admire.

Though it’s sometime hard to see how the daily grind will lead you one step closer to achieving your goals, if you pay attention to the reccuring themes in your own life, you’ll have the confidence to keep going until that circle is complete. Only you get to decide how strong that circle gets to be :)

8/5/13 8/5/13

4 Ways to Become Invaluable to Your $$$Clients$$$

So here is my second attempt at writing a blog post that is not only insightful but is also enjoyable for my audience to read. Hope I don't bore you :) I don't have an exact science about how to obtain more clients (especially the ones that pay on time and don't need to micromanage your every move), but I do know a few things about becoming invaluable to the ones you already have. Once you become invaluable to one client, you'll start gaining more clients via word of mouth. Word of mouth will always be your best form of advertising.

Below is a list of four things that you can do that will make you invaluable to your clients. Once you master this list, the $$$$ will start pouring in. Okay, maybe not but your clients will appreciate it.

1. DON'T REVEAL YOUR MOJO

If you have to listen to Ying Yang Twins to get you in the "writing copy mood," then so be it. No but seriously, it is important to keep the lines communication open with a client but don't blab too much. You don't want to reveal your entire process to your client or you run the risk of being replaced with someone who might charge less, or worse, an intern.

I usually let the numbers speak for themselves. Which brings me to my next point...

2. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PROGRESS

When you first begin a relationship with a client, you will probably discuss what his or her goals are for the company. You will the outline how you will go about reaching these goals. From day one, it is very important that you keep track of your progress. Most of the popular social networks out there have very informative statistics. Make sure to collect these numbers from day one and then get in the habit of recording your progress at the end of the month. Before you bill your client, collect data for them so they know that you know what you are doing. Sometimes you feel like saying "I GOT THIS, HOP OFF MY NUTS" but it is much more effective to prove it with a well organized excel document :) If you can prove that you brought in X-amount of dollars to your client, you will become invaluable faster (and have leverage to increase your rate.)

3. BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE

Clients are hiring you because they have a need to fill and they believe you can do that for them. The easier it is for them to get ahold of you when they need you, the more likely they will continue to reach out to you. Sometimes clients call me in the middle of dinner because they can't figure out their MailChimp password and I am totally OK with that. In fact, I encourage it. I won't answer the call if it is inappropriate, but I will send a quick text like "At dinner, will call in a few," and then here is the thing...I CALL THEM BACK AFTER DINNER! It's not that hard but a lot of people don't do this and if you do, it will set you apart immediately. I also answer emails within a few hours (sometimes quicker.) If your business is social media and digital marketing, your client is going to expect you to be available digitally at all hours. Now this doesn't mean that your client can drunk dial you after his fifth scotch. If you encourage that kind of relationship with a client, then perhaps you are in the wrong industry.

4. NEVER SAY NO

I know this is a double negative but I needed to get your attention. I can't tell you how many times a client has asked me to do something that wasn't discussed initially. For example, one time a client asked me to help him write a Yelp review on behalf of his parents. This had nothing to do with writing product descriptions for his vintage furniture shop, but that doesn't matter. He needed my help and he was willing to pay me for my time, WIN-WIN! So the point is don't shy away from stepping outside of your initial role. If you want to build a lasting relationship with a client, you have to be willing to say YES even when it isn't convenient. That client has since become a great friend and let's me borrow his truck when I need to haul something :)