We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krishna Kayastha a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Krishna, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
For a long time, I didn’t think confidence was something I could develop. I thought it was something you either had or didn’t—something reserved for people who weren’t constantly battling self-doubt, perfectionism, and the weight of feeling misunderstood.
I spent years shrinking myself, swallowing my words, and waiting for permission to take up space. But the more I silenced myself, the heavier it became. After I become a mother the importance of my mental health became crystal clear. If I wasn’t good then I couldn’t be there for my girls. My body started showing the weight of all I was carrying, hiding, pushing down—tension in my chest, tightness in my throat, exhaustion that sleep couldn’t fix. I didn’t realize then how involved the decision to heal would be and that confidence wasn’t about feeling fearless—it was about moving through fear, about honoring my voice even when my insides shook.
My healing began when I started focusing on my habits which includes allowing myself to create without permission. Art, writing, journaling—these became tools for untangling the parts of me that felt unworthy, unseen, too much or not enough. Each brushstroke, each journal entry, each piece of writing became an act of reclaiming myself. I realized that confidence isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build through action.
Through Serenade My Soul, I’ve created a space for others to do the same. To reflect, to create, to explore their inner world without judgment. My journals, my writing, my work—they’re all extensions of the process that helped me find my own voice. I don’t teach confidence as an end goal. I invite people into the journey of self-trust, self-compassion, and self-expression—because that’s where true confidence is built.
I’d love to say my confidence is unshakable, but the truth is—I’m still in the process of working through my own barriers of showing up and sharing through the fear. With every step I take to create, share, speak up, and connect with community I just strengthen my resolve. Even with the fear, I know that one day, my confidence will be unshakable.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the power of words—whether through stories, song lyrics, or the stories my parents would share of their childhood. Serenade My Soul is the culmination of years of personal growth, healing, and creative exploration. It started as a whisper, a name I scribbled in a college notebook, long before I understood what it would become. Now, it’s a space where art, writing, and self-discovery intertwine.
In addition to painting, I create journals and reflective tools that invite people to slow down, tune in, and honor their inner worlds. Every journal I designed was rooted in intention—whether it’s reconnecting with your inner child, exploring self-love, or syncing with your natural cycles.
What excites me most is how Serenade My Soul continues to evolve alongside me. In 2025, I’ve decided to focus my intentions on my writings and paintings and using my art as a mirror—inviting people to see themselves through a lens of love, possibility, and wonder. Alongside that, I’m continuing my weekly journal prompts and exploring new ways to bring creativity and reflection into everyday life.
Ultimately, my work is an invitation—to reflect, to create, to grow. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I believe in the power of curiosity, creativity, and self-trust. And Serenade My Soul is where I share that journey, in hopes that others might find something meaningful in it too.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things have been most impactful in my journey: redefining my habits, building discipline, and cultivating community.
Redefining My Habits – Not everything I was doing was serving me, and some things—whether out of conditioning or routine—were actively holding me back. I had to get intentional about what I wanted to keep, what I needed to release, and what new skills I had to develop. I approached this like a scientist—collecting data, tracking patterns, and refining what actually worked for me. My advice? Treat your personal growth like an experiment. Observe without judgment, adjust as needed, and don’t be afraid to start again.
Building Discipline – Whether in my creative practice or my day-to-day responsibilities, I learned that motivation is fleeting, but discipline is a choice. There’s a saying: every moment is an opportunity to practice who you want to be. That has shaped how I show up, even when I don’t feel like it. My advice? Don’t wait to feel inspired—just begin. Small, consistent actions build momentum, and momentum builds confidence.
Cultivating Community – My husband is wonderful, but as a woman, mother, and creative, I needed a circle of people who just get it—those who understand the weight of big emotions, the struggle of carving your own path, and the power of having someone believe in you when you forget to believe in yourself. Finding and building that kind of community has been life-changing. My advice? Seek out spaces where you feel seen. Nurture the relationships that uplift you. And remember, you don’t have to do this alone.
At the core of it all, growth is about intention, action, and support. Whatever path you’re on, trust that small steps lead to big transformations.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes! I’m always open to connecting with people who resonate with my work. I love collaborating with those who are deeply passionate about creativity, healing, and storytelling—especially artists, writers, mental health advocates, and anyone exploring the intersections of personal growth, community, and self-expression.
If you’re interested in:
🎨 Creative projects centered on art, intuition, or inner child work
📖 Writing collaborations, storytelling, or deep conversations on healing and self-discovery
💡 Hosting or contributing to thoughtful discussions, workshops, or events
🤝 Supporting or commissioning work that aligns with these themes
Then I’d love to hear from you! Let’s explore how we can create something meaningful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://serenademysoul.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenademysoul/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patelkrishna/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@serenademysoul108
- Other: https://serenademysoul.substack.com/
Image Credits
Krishna Kayastha
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
