We were lucky to catch up with Kjersten Hayes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kjersten thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

My younger self might be surprised by this, but the best investments I’ve made as a creative have been any and all investments in my mental health—including therapy and books or courses that have helped me learn how to find a deeper well, nurture my creative intuition, and let go of outcomes I can’t control.

In my late 30s, I crashed my bike while going fast downhill—I flew over the handlebars and landed face-first on the pavement. I sustained a concussion and injured my hand. But in the aftermath, what I realized I injured most was something that was already pretty damaged—my sense of well-being and confidence. After all, the bike crash wasn’t my first horrible accident—accidents were a kind of pattern in my life, starting with losing my dad in a tractor accident when I was three. But this bike crash in my late 30s sort of tipped me over the edge mentally—I started having accident nightmares nearly every night and using a lot of energy throughout my day to resist the urge to imagine every worst-case scenario that could lead to crashes or death. I finally got up the courage to talk to my doctor about it and seek help. I remember telling the therapist I found, “I’ve always been anxious, but this is in another league. I’d just like to get back to my old anxious self.” And I will never forget her response. She said:

“Huh, I think we can raise the bar.”

She was right.

After going through EMDR therapy for PTSD, my sky became wider—turns out being anxious wasn’t an inborn trait, but a habit I could learn to change. It took work, but the investment I made in changing and improving my mental health and habits related to my mental health led me to also handle the rejections and ups and downs of my creative callings with much more ease. Not long after finishing my EMDR therapy, I signed with my first agent and finally sold a picture book after working on it for a long, long time. And since then I’ve marveled how each new way I’ve invested in my mental health has helped with my entire life but most especially my creative work. I expect it will keep doing so.

Kjersten, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I write funny and heart-felt picture books, and I make and sell inspirational art and colorful hand-bound journals. As a part of this work, I also love working with kids—doing school visits, workshops, or classes about writing humor, creative journaling, and handmade books (among other art and writing projects). With all my work I aim to open worlds and possibilities through play. My handmade journals are known for their colorful pages, functionality, and unique handmade designs. Classes and workshops I’ve done with kids often burst with giggles and creative fun. And my writing is full of kid appeal, humor, and heart.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

James Clear’s book Atomic Habits helped me take huge leaps in my productivity, positive mental health, and endurance. It helped me to create better, more sustainable, more joyful daily habits.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Whenever I get to work with kids or read my picture book to kids—seeing kids’ faces light up with the joy that comes from creativity—it’s the best. But besides that, I also love the simple joy of making something new. Author Neil Gaiman says it best, “The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kjersten.com
• Instagram: @kjerstenhayes
• Twitter: @kjerstenhayes
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kjerstenhayes