The Porch Swing KC

05/24/2026

When life feels a little 😵‍💫 try coming back to these three things:

1. Have I slept at least *somewhat* okay in the last few nights? 💤

You’ve heard me say it and I’ll keep saying it SLEEP is PIVOTAL to nervous system regulation, brain health, and mental health wellness.

2. Have I seen the sun today? ☀️

Light helps your brain remember what time it is (hello, circadian rhythms 👋🏻) as well as keep you *present* (the here-and-now 🙌🏻).

3. Have I moved my body in any gentle way? 🧘‍♀️

Stretching in bed, walking around the block, a quick gym session, dancing in the kitchen, etc. Movement is a way to help some of that buzzing anxiety move *through* instead of playing mental gymnastics.🤸‍♀️

No, these things don’t magically “fix” things like grief, trauma, burnout, or heartbreak. However, they do lower the volume just enough that you can hear yourself again 🫶🏻

Rather than deciding to coincide with the negative cognition (thought) — try checking in with yourself — am I tired, have I felt the sun today, and have I had any movement 🩷

If you’re rebuilding after a breakup, death, or loss The Porch Swing KC is the place for you. We talk about the big, deep stuff *and* we make tiny, doable shifts that help your nervous system feel a little safer in your actual life. 🩷

🔗 link in bio to learn more or schedule a consult 🦋

05/21/2026

I don’t actually think grief is about “moving forward” at all.

Grief is an integration. An adaptation. An assimilation of a life that now has a very real before and after.

It’s a landing place for love to have room to breathe.

Less a concept, more a capacity.
Less trying to make sense, more letting yourself be human.

Grief isn’t an arrival. It’s an expansion.
A place where love has no edges.

It’s light.
It’s energy.
It’s movement.
It’s embodied.

And, it’s meant to be *witnessed.*

And if you’ve been given the gift of being loved by someone who knows grief?

You can consider yourself blessed.

Because that person will love you with a depth you’ve never felt. The kind of love that can absorb your edges.

Being loved by a grieving heart often means being loved with no edges at all.

If you’re rebuilding life after loss and want a cozy, non-rushed place to process this stuff, this is exactly what we do at The Porch Swing KC.

05/10/2026

04/15/2026

Dating in 2026? Let’s uncouple projection from connection.

Real chats aren’t filtered—they’re factual. The connection you imagine on the other side of the screen isn’t the person in real life—it’s your fantasy (projection) of what you want or who you think they are. How do you move from Mr. Right Now to Mr. Right? Get connected to yourself through your body’s signals. Keep in mind you’re going to say “no” more often than “yes.” Here’s your reframe 👉🏻 every single no brings you closer to your yes.

We’re not here to fix, change, or project a fantasy onto someone. We’re here to complement our life, not complicate it! To actually see someone, you must strip away your projections and your expectations. You’re not chasing someone to fulfill you—for the love of God nobody is *chasing* anybody! As soon as that energy shift happens (hello 👋🏻 body awareness) that’s your cue to exit and do more of YOU! Remember, you’re learning to connect with what you already bring inside yourself. 🙌🏻

Stop placing your self-worth and agency in the hands of other people. 👏🏻 You are already ENOUGH! 🫶🏻

Okay, so now that we got that out of the way, are you ready to step into your badass, beautiful self and claim your happiness?! If you’re a “Hell F’ing Yes, Queen,” DM me or tap the link in my bio to connect.

04/13/2026

One of my favorite practices in both my personal/professional life is the reframe. I love the idea of noticing different angles, views, ideas. The curiosity in exploring perspective is deeply healing.

Here on earth we can get caught up in division, opinion, separation, and biases. Yet, when we zoom out all-of-a-sudden we all become one.

One humankind
One planet
One love
One collective beautiful life thing!

My soul needed this! Proof that there is such thing as humanity and something far greater than what is in front of me at times.

It takes courage to invite curiosity into the confines of our human limitations and it is the one thing that will often times pivot those stuck points.

May today be a day where you explore!

I love YOU ❤️

04/02/2026

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carrie-soper-overland-park-ks/994462

Psychology Today I am sharing a link to my personal Psychology Today profile for those of you who may be in search of a therapist I am accepting new clients!

I use a multi-dimensional approach in my practice. In our first session, we'll explore what brought you to therapy and determine the best ways to support your growth. Using modalities like CBT, NARM, EMDR, IFS, and Person-Centered therapy, together we will explore the relationships with attachment, self, others and trauma, aiming to cultivate a sense of safety and meaning in the present moment.

Sending you all an abundance of love and light on this Springtime day!

Carrie Soper, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Overland Park, KS, 66213, (913) 246-4843, Are you walking through a season of grief or loss? Do you find yourself consumed by worry or fearing the worst? I understand that weight — the exhaustion of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty. When ...

03/29/2026

Therapist things I believe in 🙋‍♀️🎀🧠💪🏻🌸

01/26/2026

Full disclosure here; I’m scared. My nervous system is frozen. My words are failing me, my thoughts escape me, and I’m not finding a human word to quite describe how the current events are breaking my heart, breaking your heart, and breaking our communities apart.

Before I dive in too far here; I want to preface, that I am human. I’m learning, and listening. I’m taking a risk by speaking up, and I don’t do this alone—I lean on trusted mental health professionals and mentors. I seek guidance from compassionate, respected leaders who value humanity and kindness. Together, we set aside division and focus on our shared humanity and outcomes.

Also, I recognize, I’m a very small fish in a very gigantic pond. So if this lands and lightens and stabilizes just one nervous system — I feel that this is a step towards peace.

Okay; so with that said here it goes:

I feel that no matter which way I turn wether that be left/right up/down I see hatred, harm, inhumanity, fear, heartbreak, I see what looks like a civil w*r in our communities. I have some very close friends walking around with their social security cards, birth certificates, passports proving that they are US citizens. I have white friends that are afraid to move in any direction as well. I’m trying to refrain from putting my biases and my privilege in how I’m communicating because that’s not what The Porch Swing KC rooted in.

This community grew from unimaginable grief and trauma—my late husband and I faced death together, swaying on our porch swing through his end of life. After he died, fear lingered as more tragedies followed: my dad, my best friend from high school, and my father-in-law all passed in a short timeframe. This space is where I began to heal and find hope. Please don’t get me wrong here — me sharing this is *not to remotely say whatsoever that I understand your worldly view, perspective, experience, etc. Rather, it is me saying that if you are a human than you are welcome here, period. That’s it. You get to be safe. You get to be seen. You get to be supported. And, you get to human.

My one ask is this 🙋‍♀️ when we are sharing, posting, commenting etc., can we please keep in mind that our children are watching. They need us to be aware and regulated while being true to our individual belief systems. Let’s lead with compassion, empathy, kindness, and respect. If you’re responding out of a space of high emotion please take a moment to PAUSE and invite curiosity behind what the emotion is for yourself before responding. Collectively we have an opportunity to unite, come together, be kind, and be the America we all deserve to exude and embody!

I love you. I do.

There’s room for you here on The Porch Swing where healing happens. 🦋🌎☮️

01/21/2026

Good news is happening in Minnesota — and I’m here to celebrate it. ✨

While it can be easy to feel weighed down by the news, there is good unfolding across the state right now.

Here are a few bright spots I’m loving 🥰👇

🎉 Community Joy in Action:
From free, family-friendly winter events to artist showcases, disco-ball ice skating, bonfires, sledding, and hot cocoa — neighbors are gathering, laughing, and finding connection in places like St. Louis Park and Golden Valley.

❄️ Cold Weather, Warm Spirits:
The Rochester Polar Plunge is back in 2026 with hundreds of participants showing up in costume, courage, and community spirit — all for fun and a great cause.

🎨 Creativity Being Supported:
The Minnesota State Arts Board has awarded millions in grants this year, uplifting local artists and organizations through concerts, exhibitions, public art, workshops, and creative programs that bring people together.

🧠 Learning, Inclusion, and Care Positive Supports Minnesota is launching an 8-session Project ECHO series focused on creating supportive, inclusive environments — strengthening care and connection across communities.

🎭 A Year Full of Celebration:
From the Minneapolis Cherry Blossom Festival to the St. Paul Winter Carnival and beyond, Minnesota’s 2026 festival calendar is packed with cultural, music, food, and arts events that reflect the beauty and diversity of the state.

At The Porch Swing KC, I believe noticing the good matters — because hope, resilience, and healing grow when we pause to see what’s going right. 🌱

Today, I’m choosing encouragement, connection, and community.

💬 What’s one positive thing you’ve noticed lately?