Not All in Your Head: Poetry & Prose for Mental Health

by Parm K.C.

Not All in Your Head is a poignant collection of poetry and prose embodying the range of emotion and inner turmoil that accompanies mental health struggles. This is a collection centered around themes of anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, finding self, healing, and acceptance. Not All in Your Head captures not only the pain of these experiences, but also the glimmers of light and hope that can be found amongst them, and the relief felt when help and community is discovered.

Genres: Poetry

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2024

Reviews

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want to be watercolor.
i want to drip down the page,
make a mess,
leave my mark,
and have it be deemed
a masterpiece.

[Michelle Roques · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s nice to read something and be remembered that you’re not alone.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of mental health focused poetry. I dog-eared several pages and was moved throughout. I think people who are leaving toxic relationships (either with themselves or with others) would especially enjoy these poems.

[Mimi Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!
How is it possible to love every single page!

[Roslin Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Parm K.C.'s work speaks to me as if I'm reading entries from my own journals/poetry. This work starts off a little heavy (there is a trigger warning and note from the author informing readers of this) and then it progresses into healing and hope. This is another book of poetry I can see myself returning to over the years as I heal and hurt (rinse and repeat), because that's life.

I have many favourite passages highlighted and dog-eared, but I'll share my most favourite one here:

"i'm not sorry.

i'm not sorry i developed boundaries. i'm not sorry you liked me more when i was a people pleaser. i'm not sorry you don't recognize me now that i love myself. i'm not sorry my big dreams make you feel small. i'm not sorry i put myself first and started to say no to what doesn't serve me. i'm not sorry i took you off the pedestal. i'm not sorry i stopped letting you call the shots. i'm not sorry i began speaking up and voicing my opinions. i'm not sorry that i grew and changed. i'm not sorry i stopped letting you walk all over me. i'm not sorry i realized i deserve better. i'm not sorry that i've forgiven my past self. i'm not sorry that i can't forgive those who've done the unforgivable to me. i'm not sorry i learned how to value myself. i'm not sorry i finally see my own worth." (p. 284)

[Q . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Not All in Your Head by Parm K.C. felt like having someone gently sit beside me and say, “I see you. You’re not alone.” The way Parm writes about anxiety, depression, and self-doubt feels so raw and real—like words pulled straight from the moments we usually hide.

One quote that stayed with me is:

“Healing isn’t about erasing the pain, it’s about learning to live alongside it.”
These words felt like they were written just for me, especially on days when it’s hard to see beyond my own thoughts.

I love how the poetry and prose flow together, balancing darkness and hope in a way that feels authentic rather than forced. Some pages hit me so deeply that I had to pause, breathe, and reread them. Others felt like quiet reminders that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone—and that’s okay.

This book didn’t offer easy answers, but instead offered something better: understanding, honesty, and compassion. It reminded me that what I feel really isn’t “all in my head,” and that struggling doesn’t make me any less worthy of love or peace.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood by your own mind, or if you need gentle words to help you through the harder days, this book is a comforting companion. Parm K.C. has created something quietly powerful—and I’m truly grateful for it.

[Abby O'Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unbelievable read. To anyone struggling with anxiety or depression, please pick this up. It is difficult not to highlight the whole book, every poem spoke to me in some way. Incredible emotion steeped in these words, beautiful empathy and hope weaved throughout. Will be buying for friends ❤️

[K.B. reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“whose peace am i really keeping? it certainly is not my own.”

I enjoyed Eggshells so much that I decided to read another collection by Parm KC. Once again, I highlighted so many poems and quotes. I related to a large portion of this book and found so much of myself in these pages. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys poetry and mental health.

4 stars

[Victoria Gehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

authentic and relatable and hopeful

I felt so seen. These poems beautifully capture the rawness of life and the struggles with anxiety and depression. They remind us we are not alone in our pain while also offering hope — for better days in the midst of the hard days.

[Stella Marchione · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good and completely relatable. I will come back to it again!

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I adored everything about this book. It was in depth, it was raw, it was real. I see you. Highly recommend.

[Aleah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

141 highlights says it all! What a beautiful collection of poems! If you are just getting into poetry, or absolutely love poetry, I highly recommend this one!

[Jennifer Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very healing for me! Beautifully written❤️

[Ashlee (ashleereads692)]

DNF 30%

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally a poetry book not 95% about a heartbreak

[Brianna Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75!