Growth & Grief MVP

10/15/2026

Real quick—for those of you who know about replacement thoughts—am I doing this right?

Sweet Treat 🍫 > Solving the Problem 🤔

Follow me (Carter Coaching, Counseling & Consulting LLC ) for more pro tips 🧠🫀🌱

10/07/2026

Yesterday—I did something I don’t do often enough that brings me so much joy, I wandered Main Street Galena, a place full of nostalgia for me.

Though this is one of my absolute favorite places on earth, there is no escaping the feelings of grief surrounding missing my mom when I’m here.

This is something I know, and I’m prepared for, because I have spent over 13 years personally processing and clinically perfecting my relationship with grief.

Still, when the doors opened and I stepped inside the Kandy Kitchen, as prepared as I always am, I got a whiff of that confectionery and I could smell the 90’s, and my mother.

A wave of emotion came over me as I took it all in—and—in the moment, appreciated the vivid memory of my school-aged self picking out the most pounds my mom would allow (who are we kidding, Susan never gave me a limit, spoiled and proud!) of the worlds largest chocolate covered raisins.

They were supposed to last me the winter, they barely made it the ride back home.

While simultaneously grieving that what I was taking in, the sounds, the smell, the movie-like reel playing in my mind—was just that, a vivid memory never to play out physically again in this lifetime.

I paused, and shared that feeling with my best friend and the store staff, and, instead of choking it all back and pretending grief and joy can’t coexist, that they don’t deserve to be acknowledged in that very moment, just allowed myself to feel it all.

And then, because my pockets ain’t built like my Mommas—I bought ONE pound of the worlds largest chocolate covered raisins, popped a few in my mouth, and savored the bittersweet FEELINGS. 🧠🫀🌱

09/27/2026

About 6 years ago I was going THROUGH it. Most days I was already on 🔟 from working full time, going to grad school, working a practicum internship, being a single mom, taking care of my dying mother, just a heavy load, daily. 😮‍💨

One day, I got home from a late night of work, and pushed the automatic garage door opener, and the garage door started to raise, came off the track, and hung there—broken—and wouldn’t budge. 💥

I started sobbing. I’m talking slide down the wall, snot nosed sobbing.

The person I was on the phone with said “All this over a garage door?” 🙄

Ever since then—we use the term “it’s a garage door thing” to refer to the icing on the cake, the straw that broke the camels back, the one thing that took us over the edge.

Because the truth is—if we don’t “cope ahead”, it will be the smallest inconvenience that will throw us completely off track.

We are living in some really difficult times, dealing with some really hard stuff. Stay tuned as I share more ways to “cope ahead” and reduce the likelihood of the garage door meltdowns in your day…. 🧠🫀🌱

09/24/2026

Noticed a new trend during Back 2 School, every teacher has a “Meet Me” sheet—so allow me to introduce myself….. 👋🏼

09/24/2026

09/23/2026

About a year ago I got rid of the full length mirror in my room. I didn’t really have a purpose at the time—I just wanted a different one and never replaced it.

So over the last year I walked around looking a hot ass mess. I wasn’t checking the mirror constantly. I wasn’t criticizing myself for the way I looked. I was simply trying to do what needed to be done to survive the big life transitions I was making.

I put on a few pounds too, because I wasn’t getting dressed in the same clothes anymore and I had nothing to really show me everyday how my body was changing.

And you know what happened?

I was able to focus on other parts of myself I had been neglecting. I was able to heal some pieces of my heart, I was able to grow parts of my mind.

I’m still doing that, but I finally found the perfect mirror to put back in my space, and even though I have a lot to work on for my body and my health—I really really like the reflection and how it’s changed since I last saw it fully.

Sometimes healing looks like the ugliest, messiest version of yourself—and that’s okay—because once you go through it, you’ll be the most beautiful version of yourself. ✨🧠 🫀🌱

09/21/2026

5 ⭐️’s

07/28/2026

Growing up, I would wake up some weekend mornings, or come home from school some afternoons to our entire front or dining room turned upside down, rearranged, and redecorated.

All these years later, I’ve learned exactly what my mom was thinking and feeling when she decided to change our environment in her manic state….

Sense of control.

When all the thoughts are messy in your head, when so many factors of your life feel out of reach—many of us grab a broom, sweep up all the particles cluttering our minds, and space—and shake up the room.

It probably doesn’t actually change those things we are dwelling on or want to “fix”—but it is amazing what a little reset and refresh can do around and within you.

Today I did just that in our little speakeasy of therapy space! 🧹 🧠🫀🌱

07/22/2026

Text or Call 319-505-8188 to schedule your CONFIDENTIAL therapy session. 🤫

07/09/2026