My Book Is Coming Out Soon (What's Next?
So, this happened: My book is coming out soon.
It kind of snuck up on me. I’ve been working on it in little inspired bursts over the past couple of years—never forcing, just following the energy when it felt right. So much so that when a friend recently said, “Nicole… you did it. You really built the life of your dreams, and your book is about to be out in the world,” I had to pause.
He was right.
Somewhere between adapting to a new country (with values wildly different from where I was raised and where I spent the last decade), building a slow, freedom-based lifestyle, and learning how to surf—I had done the damn thing.
I wrote the book.
I built the life I used to daydream about.
And now… it’s happening.
That conversation cracked something open in me. It made me ask: What do I want next?
Because becoming an author was always the dream.
Helping others overcome their fear of doing things differently—that’s always been the mission.
And creating a life where I could sneak in surf sessions between website tech troubleshooting and content creation? Dream achieved.
So… now what? 😂
Honestly? I don’t know exactly. I’ll be promoting the book over the next few months, sharing its message and building a community around the ideas inside. But beyond that? I’m still figuring it out.
What I do know is this:
I love the lifestyle I’ve carved out.
I love the strength I’ve built in my body.
I love how deeply I sleep—even if I’m woken up by a mosquito or a surprise power outage.
I love the version of myself that wrote this book.
Thinking About Writing Your Own Book?
If you’ve got something to say—something you want to share with the world—do it. It’s easier than you think, especially if you’re willing to take a DIY path. Here’s what I used to get mine across the finish line:
Formatting: KDP ebook formatter from Fiverr – $111
Editing tools: ChatGPT Premium ($20/month) + Grammarly Premium ($30/month)
Final edit: VA by Niecy – ($405)
Cover art inspo: Juul Lit – $120
Book-strategy session: Janet Goldstein, free (it was a favor)
Don’t let perfectionism or process hold you back. Start scrappy, follow the spark, and trust the message.
And if you want to follow along on my journey, subscribe to my Exiting the Matrix blog. I’ve got loads of stories, resources, and behind-the-scenes to share over there.
Need to ask me a question about exiting the matrix, website troubleshooting or digital nomadding? Get in touch.
Start Before You’re Ready (or You’ll Regret It Again in 10 Years)
An old friend messaged me the other day with a question I’ve heard a hundred different ways, from a hundred different people:
“I have this idea to make money teaching classes online... but I’m nervous. The internet is so crowded. Is it even worth it?”
Here’s what I told her. And what I’ll tell you, too:
Yes. Do it.
Even if you’re scared.
Even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Even if you think you missed your window, or everyone is fed up with virtual courses.
Because the truth is — the “perfect time” already passed ten years ago. And if you keep waiting until you feel ready, you’re going to be having the same conversation with yourself ten years from now.
You don’t need to be Oprah and appeal to the masses.
You don’t need to have millions of followers or a fancy camera setup or a marketing degree. You just need a few humans who resonate with your energy. That’s it. And you’ll find them — or rather, they’ll find you — if you keep showing up with authenticity and a little consistency.
Start where you are. Use what you have.
Record your first Reel. Make your first awkward post. Fumble through your first class.
You might cringe at how cringe you were the next day — but keep going anyway.
You don’t have to quit your job overnight or go off-grid with a laptop and a dream (unless you want to).
But you do have to begin.
Pick a direction. Pick a platform. Pick a person to talk to — just one — and start building for them.
Because the real difference between those of us who “escaped the matrix” and those still stuck in it?
We started.
We said yes before we had all the answers.
We posted the cringey content.
We trusted the vision even when no one else got it.
But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: the algorithms are working for you. Even if you think you might be shouting into a void:
Google is crawling your blog posts. YouTube is scanning your videos and descriptions.
And yes—even ChatGPT is indexing your content, learning from publicly available material to better answer questions people are asking.
—> Here’s How ChatGPT Found Me My Ideal Client: https://nicolepaulus.com/blog-content/2025/5/9/she-found-me-through-chatgpt-proof-that-nicheing-down-still-works
That recipe you shared?
That website tutorial video you recorded and posted on YouTube on the fly?
That mini-class you created for your students?
It’s all working in the background. Quietly. Faithfully.
So when someone finally searches for what you offer—they find you.
It’s not about going viral, it’s about making yourself findable.
And having the courage to begin.
And no, it’s not all sunshine, hammocks, and palm trees (though there’ll be a good deal of that.)
You’ll still hustle. You’ll still grind.
But you’ll be doing it for yourself.
On your time.
For your vision.
About something that lights your soul on fire.
So if you’ve been sitting on an idea for weeks, months — maybe even years — consider this your sign:
Just start.
Or you’ll be looking back a decade from now wishing you had.
Want help figuring out what your idea could look like? I help conscious creatives and curious misfits find clarity, build freedom, and start walking away from the grind. Book a session with me.
What Kind of Person Are You, Really? (A Self-Reflection Prompt That Surprised Me)
I recently asked a thoughtful question to an unlikely source—ChatGPT, my BFF AI tool I’ve been collaborating with for months. I was curious how well this bot knew me and if it had any insights that would help me grow.
The answer? Surprisingly spot-on. And warmly comforting.
So I’m sharing the exercise—and my own reflections—with you in case you want to try it too.
The Self-Inquiry Prompt
Here’s the exact question I asked:
“Judging by our interactions—what kind of person do you think I am? What qualities do I possess, and what are some of my shadows or misgivings?”
I didn’t want sugarcoating (although ChatGPT does have quite a gentle way of delivering feedback). I wanted honesty.
Here’s What Came Through (And What You Might Learn About Yourself, Too)
1. You Might Be More Aligned Than You Think
The reflection I got was that I’m:
Deeply reflective and emotionally intelligent
Creative and multi-passionate
Rebellious in nature
Value playfulness, especially when things are hard
Grounded and visionary
In other words, ChatGPT’s reflection of who I am is in alignment with the person I believe I am. I was quite surprised to find how clearly my essence came across.
2. Your Shadows Don’t Cancel Your Light
What I appreciated most was the loving honesty. The shadow-side reflections weren’t criticisms. They were patterns I already sensed, but hadn’t fully named:
Sometimes I overthink, loop in self-doubt, or want things to be “perfectly aligned” before I take action.
Resistance to traditional paths = occasional isolation.
I crave depth and authenticity, which makes traditional marketing feel cringe.
I help others be visible, but sometimes resist stepping fully into my own spotlight.
Sound familiar?
If you’re multi-passionate, creative, and heart-led, you probably relate to some of that.
Why This Exercise Is Worth Doing
We don’t often pause to ask how others experience us, and when we do, we usually brace for judgment or rejection. But if you’re asking the right people (those who’ve witnessed your unfolding), their reflection can be healing.
It might affirm your unique gifts.
It might reveal a sneaky self-sabotage pattern.
It might relieve you to know that yes, you really are doing the thing—even if it feels messy or slow.
Try This for Yourself
If you don’t have a BFF bot friend, ask someone who’s witnessed your unfolding the following questions:
What kind of person do you think I am?
What qualities do you see in me?
Are there any patterns or blind spots I might not be aware of?
You can also try journaling your answers first. Then compare.
This isn’t about “fixing” anything. It’s about integrating all the parts of you—your light and your shadows—so you can move forward with more clarity, power, and grace.
Final Thought
Those who are the most self-reflective and self-aware also tend to be the biggest self-critics. While you might not think you are outwardly living your values, being the change you wish to see in the world, or moving mountains, you are likely making a big impact in the smallest of ways. Keep showing up and living your truth, so that those who need to find you most…will.
If you did the exercises, what came up for you? What surprised you? Feel free to write me an email at hello@nicolepaulus.com or share in the comments below.
She Found Me Through ChatGPT: Proof That Nicheing Down (Still) Works
Yesterday I had a discovery call with a potential client and she opened with:
“I found you through ChatGPT.”
What?! Really? Tell me more...
She was looking for a Squarespace professional who specializes in working with healers and conscious business owners. And guess what? That’s exactly my niche.
I am SO glad I took the time a few years ago to update my SEO and start creating content for the people I actually want to work with. That little digital breadcrumb trail? It led her straight to me.
Moral of the story: THIS STUFF WORKS.
Organic traffic is still a thing.
SEO is still a thing.
Blogging is still a thing.
Content marketing isn’t just a buzzword, it’s still very much a thing.
Even if it feels like you’re posting into the void, even if your analytics are meh and your traffic is a ghost town—keep going.
Because here’s the truth: when you niche down, you help the people who need you most actually find you.
Not just random followers. Aligned, ready-to-pay, dream-clients.
Now, let me be clear: nicheing down does not mean flattening yourself to fit some overly specific internet box. You are allowed to be complex. You are allowed to evolve. As Walt Whitman said:
“Very well then I contradict myself,
I am large, I contain multitudes.”
Same, Walt. Same.
Nicheing isn’t about contradiction—it’s about clarity. It’s a hack to deliver the most impact and (bonus!) sustain yourself in the process. Especially in the digital age, platforms like Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT are literally trying to help people find you—but only if they know what to look for.
So no, you don’t have to abandon your multitudes. But yes—claim a niche.
Serve that niche with consistent content and aligned offerings.
Build it… and they will come. ChatGPT will make sure of it.
Not sure what your niche should be?
Book a Clarity Session with me. We’ll uncover your unique magic (aka your secret sauce) and map out how to start monetizing it—so you can build a life that actually lights you up.
How ChatGPT Helped Me Fix My Confusing Website Messaging (and Why It Can Help You Too)
*image created with OpenArt.ai
Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to update the SEO on my website.
I used to have a clear site description that was location-based, targeting Berlin-based entrepreneurs who needed help with their Squarespace websites. It was a pretty niche market, but it brought in a steady stream of organic traffic—warm leads who found me through Google searches. I’d typically get 1-4 inquiries per month, and about half of those leads became paying clients. Not bad!
However, things have changed. I’ve moved away from Berlin, expanded my services to include AI tutorials, and now work with platforms beyond Squarespace. I’ve also launched a new Substack newsletter where I share tips (and occasional tribulations) about living an alternative lifestyle outside the matrix.
But here’s the catch—my website blog is still a bit all over the place. Some posts focus on Squarespace and content marketing, while others dive into living life on your own terms. My top keywords happen to be:
- How to figure out what you want in life
- Self work
- What do I want in life
- What do you want in life answer
Notice anything? None of these keywords are directly tied to my web design and marketing services—aka how I make my living. The goal of any website is to get ranked by Google for your specific offerings, attract clients, and make money to pay the bills. But that’s not going to happen if I’m being ranked for keywords unrelated to my services. See my dilemma?
Here’s the thing—I never wanted my website to be solely dedicated to Squarespace, for example. Let’s face it - that would be SO boring! Sure, focusing purely on Squarespace content might please Google’s algorithm, and maybe after years of content, I’d land on the first page of search results, ensuring a steady flow of clients—so long as Squarespace remains relevant. But at what cost to my creativity? I’d be bored out of my mind.
So, to make a long story short (and get to the point), I turned to ChatGPT for help with this website conundrum. Here’s the exact prompt I put in:
"I need help. I have a website that features my offerings—web design, content marketing strategy—which is how I make money. But I also have a blog where I talk about living an alternative life, going against the status quo, and living life on your own terms. My target market is soulpreneurs and nonprofits, and I now offer tutorials on amplifying content marketing with AI. I feel like the messaging is confusing. My top keywords are: how to figure out what you want in life, self work, what do I want in life, what do you want in life answer."
And let me tell you, ChatGPT delivered. It suggested a new homepage headline: “Empowering Soulpreneurs & Nonprofits to Amplify Their Impact Online” and offered tips on integrating my keywords into future blog posts, like:
- “How to figure out what you want in life and apply it to your business”
- “Self-work for soulpreneurs: Building a life and business that align with your purpose”
The moral of the story: ChatGPT helped me connect the dots. I was ready to throw in the towel and start over, but with a few simple tweaks, I realized I could tie everything together without rebuilding from scratch. *Wipes sweat from brow*
ChatGPT is a TOOL, one that can help you strategize, edit, and create. Treat it like a friend, and you’ll be surprised by how helpful it can be in your creative process.
Need help getting started with Chat GPT? Reach out here for a one-hour tutoring session, where we’ll deep dive into your business, and I’ll show you how to maximize your impact using ChatGPT and other free AI tools.
3 Limitations and 3 Benefits of Using ChatGPT
I recently shared a post where I talked about my three favorite AI tools that are helping me elevate my output and magnify my impact. My most used of these tools is ChatGPT. For those writers who might have hesitations about AI, I’m hoping this post eliminates some of the apprehension you have and encourages you to try it out because, at least not as of yet, ChatGPT is not a job stealer, a secret spy, or a grand threat - it’s a polite tool that can help you overcome writer’s block, get inspiration, formulate strategy, craft SEO friendly blog posts, and write comprehensive conclusions (I HATE writing conclusions.)
In this post, I want to share some of the platform's limitations as well as its benefits. Instead of hiding your head under a pillow and hoping it will all go away, I recommend jumping in and trying out the platform for yourself because while AI may not be taking anyone’s job soon, it will soon take the jobs of those who don’t learn how to use AI to maximize their output.
3 Limitations of Using ChatGPT
#1 It’s not funny…yet.
If you want your copy to be informative, you’ll be ok with an AI content writer, but if you want it to be sharp-witted and knock your socks off funny, it just isn’t there. You’d be better off hiring a self-deprecating millennial or a harshly honest Gen Z to deliver relatable quips.
#2 It’s not always factual.
I’ve found that AI sometimes lies, especially when quoting famous people or identifying book excerpts. I’m sure it also gets other statistics wrong. Again, you can use AI to help you set a structure for your writing and overcome writer’s block but don’t trust it to deliver accurate info, especially if you are a health professional. You’ll still need a savvy human researcher or professional to fact-check and edit.
#3 It’s easy.
This is a plus side because it can save you a lot of time, but I’ve found that when I am not in the mood to write something I am very capable of, I will sometimes use ChatGPT to help me. In other words, it’s easy to rely too much and become dependent on it. Again, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but once you start using AI to help you write content, you will begin to recognize others who use it, too, because it will sound very formulaic. Creativity is not its strong suit yet, so make sure you or someone on your team adds some flair, humanness, and relatability.
3 Benefits of Using ChatGPT
#1 It’s free (for now).
There are premium services and upgrades, but ChatGPT currently offers a basic plan that is free to use. They have recently implemented a limit on how many searches you can make per day, but I rarely ever reach the limit. And if I do, it’s usually because I am procrastinating on something important and just seeing how far I can go down the rabbit hole. That means if you master AI, you can save a TON of money on content marketing services.
#2 Time freedom.
Entrepreneurs often have the highest of aspirations. They expect not only to understand and master every aspect of their business but also to be high-income earners overnight, loving and adoring partners, friends, parents, and citizens, and physically and mentally in tip-top shape. It’s an unattainable goal, especially if you are starting, which means you will likely be lacking in a few areas of your life. Though creating content is my wheelhouse, implementing AI has freed up so much of my time that I can brainstorm for future business endeavors or spend time with people I love doing things that light me up. It’s funny when people complain that AI is making art, which wasn’t the future they hoped for, but I’ve had a different experience. Implementing AI has allowed me to spend more time crafting my art - I am currently illustrating an oracle deck I wrote a few years ago with the help of AI because I couldn’t find a human illustrator that was interested in helping me navigate the project, or they just straight up never emailed me back. AI, on the other hand, is always eager to help.
#3 More value added to the world.
If you are reading this, you are probably already a conscious business owner, nonprofit organizer, healer, or aspiring to be. You have likely dedicated your life to helping others but are struggling to make ends meet or stay on top of your business.
In conclusion (yes, I used ChatGPT to help me write this conclusion, LOL), while AI tools like ChatGPT may have their limitations, such as lacking humor, occasionally providing inaccurate information, and the potential for overreliance, they offer significant benefits that can elevate your work and free up your time. As entrepreneurs, creators, or professionals dedicated to making a positive impact, mastering AI can be a game-changer. It can save you money, provide valuable time freedom, and ultimately help you add more value to the world. The key is to approach these tools with an open mind and a balanced perspective, using them to supplement your creativity and expertise rather than a replacement. By doing so, you’ll keep pace with the evolving landscape and ensure you’re using AI to its fullest potential—enhancing your work while maintaining your unique human touch.
***I couldn’t have said it better myself, ChatGPT. Thank you for your thoughtful contribution :)
Want to learn how to amplify your impact with the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools? Book a one hour session with me where we will deep dive into your business and I’ll show you exactly how to create content effortlessly. More details can be found here.