Hey, lovely readers! I hope you are all having a peaceful week.
It is wild to think that my last culture catch-up post was over two years ago. A lot has changed in my life since then. During my heaviest days this past year, turning to movies, music, and books became my biggest comfort.
Lately, I’ve been diving back into media that helps me process my emotions and brings back my energy. Here is a simple round-up of what I’ve been loving lately.
Obsession
I recently went to the cinema with a friend to watch this thriller. Before life got heavy, watching horror and thrillers was my favorite hobby. Sitting in that dark theater completely rekindled my love for life and finally brought a familiar spark back to my eyes. It felt so good to feel excited again.
And the movie is amazing. Inde Navarette deserves all the accolades. That was a masterclass of pure acting! The film was tiring, in a good way, and I felt like I wasn't interested in relationships anymore after watching it.
Maternal Instincts on Netflix
Maternal Instincts is heavy, and until now, I still question what drew me to the documentary.
Anyhow, the documentary talks about the raw, suffocating primal fear of losing your child brutally to a pathological liar. Watching it while navigating the heavy grief of losing my own mom was intense, forcing me to look directly at the fierce, terrifying depth of a mother's love... the kind of love that alters your entire universe.
It was painful to hear the victim's family side of the story. But I felt like I needed to watch that, at that specific time.
FLY by National Geographic
I also watched FLY, a somewhat somber documentary which chronicles the world of base jumping and the absolute passion these athletes have for the sky. The amazing thing about the interviewees here is that they are entirely aware of the lethal stakes, yet they are completely willing to risk their lives for that fleeting feeling of ultimate freedom.
Both pieces touched me deeply based on what I’ve been going through. Between the profound fragility of life and the terrifying leaps of faith we take for our dreams, these two documentaries mirrored my own duality lately: processing a loss while trying to find the courage to take big risks and truly live again.
Lana Del Rey – Lust for Life (Album)
On My Kindle
My reading list is currently split between practical adulting and emotional healing.
Since I am navigating a big career shift, my Kindle is filled with books like 48 Laws of Power and The Psychology of Money to help me get my professional life on track.
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
I just finished this book, and it deeply moved me.
The core of the book revolves around a devastating loss and the ripple effects of a broken family. Reading about the intricate bonds of family and the quiet, heavy presence of maternal love spoke directly to my own heart regarding the loss of my mother. It reminded me that the people we love never truly leave us; they remain woven into the very fabric of who we are.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Season 3)
When Life Gives You Tangerines
This is not a new release but I felt like I needed to watch this at this specific period of my life.
I've seen the clips on Tiktok and I know what I was getting into but boy... that was intense. It's a raw, emotional, and beautiful story about resilience, love, and navigating life's bittersweet seasons. It left me in tears, but the good kind... the kind that reminds you that life can be deeply painful, but it is still so incredibly beautiful. It made me hope for love and a relationship again after watching Obsession.
It feels great to be back and share these lists with you again.
What have you been watching, reading, or listening to lately? Has anything brought a spark back to your eyes? Let me know in the comments below!
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