Yesterday, I caught up with one of my girlfriends over coffee, and as always, our conversation naturally drifted from work updates to deeper topics—this time, about who really deserves our energy. 🤔 We started chatting about how some people just don’t get how to ask for your time respectfully. You know the type: they call non-stop, spam your messages, or even show up unannounced, all while expecting you to drop everything. I shared my take: either these folks have never learned about boundaries, or they’re simply ignoring yours. I wasn’t there to gossip or judge, but to reflect on my own stance. I had a bit of a revelation recently: I’m not doing myself any favors by giving away all my time and energy 24/7 just because someone is a friend. When I do that, I end up short-changing myself of what I truly need. I had one of those moments—like when you’re so in tune with your thoughts that you start speaking clearly and passionately about something important, without even planning it. My words just flowed about boundaries and self-respect, and I realized I’d shifted one of my core beliefs. I was finally owning the idea that protecting my energy is essential. 🤭✨ Now, I know this might trigger some people—and that’s okay—because here’s the deal: we need to be a little selfish sometimes. Taking care of ourselves isn’t about being unkind; it’s about honoring our own worth so we can truly be there for others. If I’m not feeling it or simply don’t have the time, why should I force a conversation that ends up feeling half-hearted? I’m protecting my energy so I can offer something valuable when I do show up. And as a fun bonus, my girlfriend was so taken by the conversation that, with her mouth half-open, she finally said, “Paulie, I don’t know how you did this, but THESE EXACT WORDS were exactly what I needed to hear right now.”🥹

Today marked a major milestone in my career. I had my first short film screened in a cinema at an animation festival. 🎬 From the moment I woke up, I felt like something was off, even though I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. After a long, calming meditation, it hit me: I was resisting being seen, avoiding the spotlight.🫣 Knowing that once the movies ended, the directors would take the stage (that including me) and bow to the audience, being the center of attention and watched by everyone, felt more like a nightmare than a dream come true.😬 Once I acknowledged that fear, I decided to step out of my comfort zone—at least for the evening. I chose an outfit that was perfect for the occasion, something I’d never imagined wearing on a cinema stage. I snapped out of the scared, insecure Paulie and let Nasrin, my fearless alter ego, take over. ❤️‍🔥 By the end of the event, everything fell into place. I felt happy, grateful, and incredibly proud of myself for experiencing my very first premiere. This whole experience was incredibly powerful — it showed me I can do it and there is nothing to be afraid of. If you’d like to watch my animation, you can find it in the link below 🙏🏽✨ https://youtu.be/Afsp3_YLN2o?si=tTfoL90qX0AkzYsW