March 2024

Mar 31, 2024

Welcome to Steph’s Stack. I am delighted that you are taking time out of your day to be here!

Outside, the birds are chirping enthusiastically while the sun illuminates the bright green growing on the mountains. I’ve entered an emotional Spring myself. There was a period in my life where everything felt chaotic. I thought that if I blocked out the unpleasant experiences in my life, then everything else would calm down. Over time, I started shutting myself off from more and more. I stopped connecting with strangers over live music when I avoided crowded concerts. I stopped giggling with friends until my cheeks ached when I isolated myself from people. When you purify your life by avoiding unpleasant experiences and emotions, you miss out on pleasant experiences and emotions and are left experiencing nothing. I felt disconnected from myself and others for a long time. This month, I’ve been a more active participant in my life. I am grateful for the moments I spent laughing loudly, bawling until there is not an ounce of sadness left, and everything in between.

Always remember- you are whole and worthy of unconditional love.

Binge Listens

Binge Watches

Television and movies I watched this month.

Love is Blind (Season 6)

Genre

Reality TV

Streaming Service

Netflix

Quote

“You’re going to need your Epipen to open your airwaves because you are going to be in disbelief on what you missed out on.”

Why I watched

I was intrigued by the discussion surrounding this season. It’s always fun to know what people are talking about when they say “She doesn’t look like MEGAN FOX though” and it’s even more fun to have an opinion. (Chelsea, if you are reading, you are stunning!)

My favorite contestant is AD. She is a bright light. When she speaks to the other contestants, she creates a welcoming atmosphere by making space for everyone’s feelings. She’s able to gracefully hold people accountable.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Season 13)

Genre

Reality TV

Streaming Service

Peacock

Quote

“The best part about losing everything is getting it all back.”

Why I watched

Before I started watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, I assumed that the entire Real Housewives franchise was about greed. But, I was wrong. RHOBH is about real people and their experiences. We can always learn something from real people and their experiences. During this season, Kyle Richards taught me a lot about inner-strength. Kyle is juggling grief over the death of a friend and the end of her 27-year marriage. To take care of herself, Kyle stopped drinking and started exercising regularly. When the other housewives ridicule Kyle for her healthy habits, she does not back down. She stays strong in who she is.

The Sopranos

Genre

Drama

Streaming Service

HBO Max

Quote

“…see they’re the vehicle that got us here. They drop us off and go on their way. They continue on their journey. And the problem is that we keep trying to get back on the bus, instead of just letting it go.”

Why I watched

The Sopranos focuses on Tony’s depression. I thought that the show provides an all-encompassing view of mental illness. It does not romanticize any of Tony’s experiences because it shows the effects on him and everyone in his life. Carmela, his wife, is constantly torn between her love for Tony and the pain from his affairs. AJ, his son, develops depression. Throughout the show, we see the impact of AJ’s genetic predisposition to depression and the behavior’s that Tony models for him. If you, or someone you love, is struggling with depression, please check out Mental Health America.

There are moments of levity during the show that balance the morbidity. In an attempt to save herself from getting grounded from partying, Meadow exclaims “I could’ve taken ecstasy, but I didn’t” and storms upstairs. I laughed when Carmela mentioned that she voted for Bush.