In this refreshingly honest episode of The Ms. Michaela Mae Show, Michaela peels back the curtain on what really happens after you publish your first book. Spoiler: the world doesn’t suddenly make sense, the heavens don’t part, and you still wake up with the same thoughts you had before launch day.

With humor, humility, and her signature heart, Michaela talks about chasing validation through achievements, realizing that no external milestone can fix an internal wound, and how “wherever you go, there you are” became the theme of her Saturn return. She shares the lessons she learned about self-worth, taking herself for granted, and finding peace in simply being proud of the woman she’s become — book or no book.

It’s a gentle wake-up call for every creative who’s ever thought, “If I just finish this thing, then I’ll finally feel enough.” Spoiler #2: you already are.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome to The Ms. Michaela Mae Show
02:10 — Why publishing my book didn’t fix anything
06:45 — The illusion of accomplishment as validation
12:00 — “Wherever you go, there you are” — and what that really means
18:30 — Taking myself for granted (and how to stop)
24:20 — Learning to feel accomplished without needing proof

KEYWORDS

writing journey, creative process, self-worth, validation, personal growth, healing, Saturn return, mental health, emotional awareness, authenticity, self-acceptance, The Ms. Michaela Mae Show