I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author and poet Randi-Lee Bowslaugh’s book Thoughts of a Warrior contains a collection of poetry meant to inspire and help those struggling with depression overcome that feeling.

The Synopsis

This is the follow-up poetry book to Thoughts of a Wanderer. The poems depict climbing out of a deep depression to take back a life that was felt to be meaningless.

Tears, heartache, trauma and depression.

Is life worth it? That is the question.

Making no more concession,

It is time to take possession.

Enjoy the passionate poems that show we should never give up on ourselves and our life. Each poem is accompanied by a nature photo bringing the beauty of world and words to life.

The Review

It is a genuinely emotional and heartfelt read. The reader can instantly feel how personal and brave this work is for the author, and each poem becomes a piece of her heart laid bare. The progression of each poem does a remarkable job of showcasing the authentic struggles with depression and the fight it takes to overcome those struggles daily. It is never a straight line to recovery, but the setbacks and struggles only strengthen a person’s resolve.

The poem that stuck out to me instantly was Dear Future Me, which allowed us to picture our futures while still struggling with the voices of doubt in our minds. The fight to imagine a future is sometimes a struggle for those suffering from depression, and the inner voice that one must work through was perfectly illustrated in that poem. The theme and message behind mental health and the willpower to seek out help and acknowledge it was a great reminder as well, really honing in on the poet’s journey.

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and engaging author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh’s “Thoughts of a Warrior” is a must-read poetry collection. The power to stand up for mental health and acknowledge the need to care for and grow that circle of protection everyone needs in their lives, and the acknowledgment that while things are different for everyone and mental health can be overwhelming to overcome, finding the strength to overcome it all can be achieved. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on December 7th, 2024 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Randi-Lee was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and from a young age she had a passion for helping others. She attended Niagara College and graduated at the top of her class from Community and Justice Services after completing her placement at a recovery house for alcohol and drug addictions. Post-graduation she worked at a Native Friendship Centre for two and a half years while pursuing a university education in psychology. Randi-Lee continued working in social services for another four years as an employment counselor until she left to pursue her other passions.

In 2017 Randi published her first book about mental health awareness and from there knew that this was her dream. Since then she has continued writing and expanding the genres that she writes.

Another of Randi-Lee’s passions is kickboxing, which she did for over 10 years. She was a Canadian National Champion in 2015, competed at the World’s kickboxing tournament later that year and in 2016 competed at the Pan-Am games where she received silver in her division. In 2020 she was chosen as one of the coaches for the Ontario Winter Games where she inspired and coached young athletes.

While she isn’t working, she is spending time with her two teenage children and a grand-baby. Randi tries to speak honestly and openly about her struggles with her own mental health and as a parent – wanting to ensure that no one feels alone.

Follow Randi’s YouTube Channel: RB Media

Follow Randi on TikTok @randileebowslaugh