Meet Paula Sofia

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paula Sofia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism comes from my roots, my city, and my culture, and I can’t talk about that without feeling emotional when I think of Barranquilla, my hometown. Barranquilla is more than just a city; it’s a spirit, a warm embrace you feel on every corner, in the scent of the sea, in the music that never stops playing. It’s there that I learned that life, no matter how hard it gets, always has room for joy, for dancing, for hope.

’El Carnaval de Barranquilla’ is a perfect reflection of that way of life. Every year (February or March), the city transforms into an explosion of life, colors, and laughter that fills your soul. It’s a reminder that even when the world feels chaotic, there’s always a reason to celebrate. Its motto, “Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza”, isn’t just for the Carnival—it’s for life itself.

It’s impossible to grow up in a place like that and not carry that joy in your heart. Every step I take, every song I sing, is infused with that Barranquillero essence that taught me to look to the future with hope, to face challenges with courage, and to enjoy every moment to the fullest. It’s something that fills me with pride and that I carry with me wherever I go.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a musician and artist with a deep connection to my roots in Barranquilla, Colombia, and a passion for sharing the joy, culture, and vibrancy of my hometown with the world. My music, which blends traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds, is a reflection of my cultural identity, and it’s what drives me to connect with people across different backgrounds.

What excites me most about what I do is the power of music to bring people together, to evoke emotions, and to transport listeners to another place and time. Whether I’m performing live or releasing new songs, I aim to create moments of celebration and connection. For me, music is more than just entertainment—it’s a way to share a piece of my soul and my culture, and to celebrate life, love, and resilience.

Recently, I had the honor of being part of the *Carnaval de Barranquilla en Tampa Bay – QuillaBay*, where I will release the official anthem of the Carnival, *El Carnaval Llegó*, on 1/3/25. This song captures the spirit of one of the most important cultural celebrations of Colombia, and it’s an exciting way to connect with people who may not have experienced this incredible tradition firsthand.

As I continue to evolve as an artist, I am focused on expanding my music, collaborating with other artists, and continuing to use my platform to raise awareness for causes that matter. I want to continue creating songs that resonate with people, that tell stories, and that help others feel seen and heard.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I would say the three most important qualities that have shaped my journey are **discipline**, **determination**, and **dedication**.

**Discipline** has been crucial in staying consistent, especially when the road gets tough. As an artist, it’s easy to get distracted by the many opportunities and challenges that come along. But discipline has allowed me to stay focused on my craft, to keep practicing, writing, and evolving, even on the days when motivation is low. For those early in their journey, my advice would be to build daily habits that push you forward, even if it’s just a small step. Consistency is key.

**Determination** has driven me to push through obstacles, whether they are creative blocks, logistical challenges, or personal doubts. There have been moments when the journey felt overwhelming, but determination has always helped me to keep moving forward. My advice here would be to embrace setbacks as learning experiences and to stay committed to your vision, even when the path is unclear.

**Dedication** is the foundation of everything I do. Being dedicated means you are willing to put in the time and effort, day in and day out, even when the results aren’t immediate. It’s about having a deep love and respect for what you do. For anyone starting out, my advice would be to find what truly excites you and commit yourself to it wholeheartedly. The rewards may not come right away, but the journey itself will shape you in ways you can’t anticipate.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

One book that has completely transformed the way I see the world is *The Secret* by Rhonda Byrne. It introduced me to the power of the Law of Attraction—the idea that your thoughts shape your reality and that what you focus on, whether positive or negative, will manifest in your life. It’s a game-changer, and the lessons from this book have stayed with me every single day.

Here are the most powerful nuggets of wisdom I’ve embraced:

1. **Thoughts are Magnetic Energy**: This blew my mind! The idea that my thoughts send out a frequency that attracts similar energies back was a wake-up call. It’s made me so much more intentional about what I focus on and how I frame my mindset.

2. **Gratitude is Everything**: Learning to truly appreciate what I already have has been life-changing. It’s incredible how being thankful opens you up to receiving even more blessings. Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good practice—it’s a magnet for abundance.

3. **Visualization Brings Dreams to Life**: Visualizing my goals as if I’ve already achieved them has been so powerful. I close my eyes, imagine it, feel it, and it’s like the universe starts aligning things to make it happen. It’s magical!

4. **Emotions are Key**: The book taught me that feeling good is essential to attracting what I want. It’s not just about thinking positive but truly *feeling* it. When I stay joyful and excited, amazing things seem to happen.

This book made me realize that I have so much more control over my life than I thought. It’s inspiring, empowering, and has given me tools that I’ll carry forever.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

snshotsphotography

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made