In my twenties I found myself lost in Rocky Mountain National Park, wandering the wrong trail and growing more frustrated with every step. I kept thinking, Just get closer to the cabin. Close the gap between where you are and where you should be. The thought played on repeat: You’re not where you should be. It fueled my panic and robbed me of the beauty of the mountains around me. I tell this story in my new book,

Magic in the Mess and am reminded of this wisdom today…. just when I need it.

Today, that story sticks with me—not because of the trail I was on but because of how often I find myself doing the same thing in life. Always trying to close some imagined gap between where I am and where I think I should be.

When I was in my 20s, I lived in a condo in Breckenridge and rented out a room to a young couple. He was about to leave for Air Force boot camp, and she would stay behind while he trained. They were wonderful people, full of love and hope for the future. But as the weeks passed, she became overwhelmed with anxiety, convinced their relationship wouldn’t survive the separation. She spiraled into worry and fear, and what could have been a time to focus on herself—a time to create, to rest, to grow—was consumed by her stress.

Fast forward, they made it through. They’re still married today, with kids and a beautiful life. But I think about that time she spent so consumed by the gap—the distance between where she was and where she thought she should be—and how much it mirrors my own patterns.

How many times have I done the same? How often have I robbed myself of joy by focusing on what I think I should be doing, who I think I should be, or where I think I should be in life?

This morning, I opened the door to a box holding the very first copies of my book, Magic in the Mess. A book I poured my heart into. A book that marks the beginning of a new chapter for me as an author. I should have been flooded with joy and gratitude—and I was, for a moment. But then the familiar thoughts crept in: Am I doing enough? Will people buy it? Am I enough?

It’s so easy to let those thoughts steal the moment. But today, I’m choosing differently. I’m choosing to stop chasing the cabin, to stop closing the gap. I’m choosing to be here, right now, and to celebrate where I am.

Because where I am is beautiful. I wrote a book. I held it in my hands for the first time this morning. People have preordered it—people who believe in my work and want to hold Magic in the Mess in their hands too. And I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for this messy, uncertain, joy-filled beginning.

So, I’ll ask you the same question I’m asking myself: In what ways can you let go of where you think you should be? How can you slow down, celebrate, and find joy in where you are? Whether it’s a new beginning, a messy middle, or even an ending, how can you embrace this moment for all it holds?

Let’s stop chasing the gap. Let’s be here now.

And while you’re here, I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Magic in the Mess is available for preorder at mollybooker.com, and as a special thank you, you’ll receive exclusive preorder incentives—a companion guide and the deeply personal song I wrote for my brother, “Ben’s Song.”

Thank you for being part of this moment with me. I hope Magic in the Mess reminds you, as it’s reminding me, that the beauty isn’t in getting it all right—it’s in showing up, messy and real, for the magic of the journey.