"The day i came out and accepted myself was the fi rst time i ever truly exhaled. i had spent so much of my life holding my breath, hiding my truth, i thought i’d never have to do it again. i didn’t realise how wrong i was." myndstate’s debut collection is a vulnerable story of survival; an insight into the struggles of finding yourself, and your place, in a world that often doesn’t want you to belong. Exploring themes of sexuality, identity, love, and shame, deep breath follows his journey from growing up closeted and searching for acceptance to navigating the twists and turns of life as an openly gay man - reflecting on where he is today, how far he’s come, and how much further the world has to go. Featuring viral pieces alongside never-seen-before poems, deep breath is a beautifully raw and unwaveringly honest read that offers comfort and validation to those who can relate, while opening a window of understanding and awareness to those who can’t.