My Monthly Fix
Welcome to my "Monthly Fix" where I fill you in on everything my neuro-divergent brain is currently fixated on. Every month I'll update this page with what I'm reading or watching, what I'm excited about, what I've learned/discovered or maybe all of the above!
July 2025
What I'm Reading
Non-Fiction: Truth & Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice by Judith Herman.
"The #MeToo movement brought worldwide attention to sexual violence, but while the media focused on the fates of a few notorious predators who were put on trial, we heard far less about the outcomes of those trials for the survivors of their abuse.
The conventional retributive process fails to serve most survivors; it was never designed for them. Renowned trauma expert Judith L. Herman argues that the first step toward a better form of justice is simply to ask survivors what would make things as right as possible for them."
I read "Trauma & Recovery" - another book by this author and as a trauma survivor, I can tell you it's essential reading. I feel the same way about her latest book. As I've struggled with my own healing, I've read dozens (maybe more) of books about trauma recovery, but it is very rare to find books that also discuss the impact of the systems at large and how they contribute to violence, especially violence against women and other people who deal with oppression.
The justice system- especially in North America continues to focus on the abuser and predator, with very little considerati0n for the well-being and needs of their victims. Victims feel powerless during their assaults and abuse, but those feelings of powerlessness continue long after, even throughout their pursuits of justice should they decide to report. The idea of asking victims what would be helpful, or centering our needs, is completely absent. In Truth & Repair, our voices are centered and we see what could be possible if we were only asked. -Highly recommend this book.
What I'm Watching:
Empathie: This series is getting rave reviews and it definitely doesn't disappoint. I was hesitant at first to watch something with subtitles, as its a French series, it became like second nature.
The premise: Psychiatrist Suzanne starts work at Mont-Royal Institute, where she meets Mortimer, an intriguing interventionist, and fascinating patients.
It's heartfelt and compelling, and humanizes people struggling with mental illness in a way you seldom see. I just finished the last episode this weekend, and I'm so sad its done. Fortunately it's been renewed for another season.
What I'm Thinking About:
Justice. Do you see a theme here? Books, I tend to read are usually connected to what I'm thinking about - or perhaps its vice-versa?
Our current justice system rarely serves victims. I've been asking myself what justice means to me. After everything I've endured what would most give me peace? For me- It's not punishment for my abusers- I don't seek revenge and I think there is plenty of evidence that shows locking people away doesn't lead to changed behaviors (in most cases). Accountability, responsibility, meaningful change in others, these are things that are swirling around in my head right now as I think about what would be helpful for me in healing. It's something I still need to think more about.
What does justice mean to you?
xo Glass
Archive:
May 2025
What I'm Reading
Non-Fiction: The mother next door : medicine, deception, and Munchausen by proxy by Andrea Dunlop.
A groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction that investigates Munchausen by Proxy from the host and creator of the award-winning true crime podcast Nobody Should Believe Me. No bond is more sacred than that between a mother and child. And no one is more sympathetic than a mother whose child faces a life-threatening illness. But what if the mother is the cause of the illness? What if the sympathy is the point?
I'm usually not someone who reads a lot of true crime books. I find the world discouraging enough sometimes, I don't like to be reminded. But this topic interested me. Maybe because I'm a mom, but more likely because of my own mother. My mom didn't have Munchausen by Proxy, but she was (is) very adept at convincing others that she can do no wrong, and only ever had my best interests at heart (not true). She convinced me of that for years.
In the Mother Next Door, the author focuses on three main cases of Munchausen by Proxy, and while it was interesting (and mind boggling how anyone could do something like that to their child) I found myself skipping ahead in parts. I didn't find the writing itself compelling, but I can see why others have liked it.
What I'm Watching:
Severance: I was given 3 months of Apple TV for free and am catching up on the series everyone was been talking about. No spoilers please! Talk about on the edge of your seat watching. Each episode is a masterclass in pacing and I can not wait to find out what the hell is going on.
What I'm Thinking About:
Advocacy. I'll be writing posts in the coming weeks/months about advocacy and what that means to me, but what I will say now, is that something happened to me this month, that has required me to do a lot of thinking and learning about advocacy, human rights, and what my responsibility is to myself and to others.
What does advocacy mean to you? What makes someone a "good" advocate?
April 2025
What I'm Reading
Non-Fiction: Briefly Perfectly Human by Alua Arthur. In her memoir, Alua shares her journey to becoming a Death Doula- someone who supports a dyine person and their family through that transition. I know that to some this may seem a morbid topic, but in this last year I've lost two people and have been dealing with a lot of grief. I was at bedside while one passed and its not the first time I've witnessed a loved one dying. I've been curious about people who do this for a living, (working in palliative care) what they see and experience, and wanted to know more about it. Although Alua's journey is a beautiful one, I was hoping the book would share more about her clients and the dying experience and less about her personal life.
What I'm Listening to:
Messy by Lola Young was trending on tiktok a couple of months ago, so I had heard snippets of the song here and there. I've recently added it to a playlist and it's one that I tend to repeat after hearing. I think it encompasses the feeling of never feeling good enough because of the hyper-criticism of the people in our lives (society as a whole as well).
What I'm Excited About:
SUNSHINE! Spring is finally in full swing where I live and I'm loving the sun. It just makes everything a little brighter (literally and figuratively) ;)
What I'm Thinking About:
I've been thinking a lot about the word "community" and what it means to me. Where would I like to be, and who would I like to connect to? Where can I find my "people" -How can I show up more for others? I've been really lonely for a long time. I think when people hear the word "lonely" they think -romantic partnership, but that's not what I mean by lonely. I think I trying to find a sense of belonging. I've signed up for a couple of art workshops locally, I'm hoping it will give me the opportunity to meet others with similar interests.
What does "community" mean to you?
March 2025
What I'm Reading
Fiction: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab- I feel like giving you a summary would give too much away. The book has been out for a while and on my must read pile and I'm so glad I'm finally reading it. I'm enjoying the writing so much, the story line of course, but also the authors ability to weave the most beautiful images together with her words.
Non-fiction: Fed-Up:Emotional Labor, Women and the Way Forward by Gemma Hartley - I think I was a little late in learning the term "Emotional Labor". The first time I heard it was on tiktok in 2020. This book was released in 2018 and there have been others before that. What I like about this topic most, is that it puts a name to something so many of us have felt. The invisible work- both mental and emotional that goes into maintaining relationships especially with men.
What I'm Watching
The Pitt - I think everyone I know is watching this new medical drama right now. Its from the original writer of ER, with Noah Wylie of course. I love the concept of an hour real time = an hour on the show, the season covering a whole shift. The acting is superb, and little things like - no background music, and the way the camera is used through out add to the feel that you're right there in the ER with them. It's been a while since a show has made me forget my phone for an hour, but this one does.
What I'm Listening to
"See Her Out (Thats Just Life)" by Francis and the Lights is on my repeat playlist right now. If you watched Nobody Wants This on Netflix, it will sound familiar.
I've also started listening to delta waves at night before sleep. Falling asleep is challenging for me as my brain doesn't like to stop, but so far this is making some difference.
What I'm Thinking About
Like most people, I'm thinking about the world right now. On a large scale it feels really terrifying, I think that's the intention. To keep us terrified. Scared people are easier to control. But what's happening isn't new. Its been rooted deep in the systems. I do think people have been emboldened to be even louder with hate, and social media propels it. It can be hard to see good in the world, but its there. There are people helping and standing up.
What I ask myself a lot is -
What power do I have right now in this moment and what choices can I make? What aligns with my values, what skills do I have and what can I offer to make a difference?
Sometimes the answer is self care, and rest. Sometimes its donating to my local food bank, or taking some lettuce and tomatoes from the garden and sharing with my neighbours. When I answer those questions and take small steps I feel empowered, because I know the smallest action can make a difference. Kindness has a ripple effect, it moves outward, even if all I can manage in the moment is kindness for myself.