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The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Carrie Scharf
115 episodes
7 hours ago
Hi, I'm Carrie, Author, skincare maker, HSP, and special needs mom. The gentle exhale is a soft place to land for highly sensitive women and special needs moms who are carrying a lot.

This podcast offers faith-centered self-care, nervous-system–gentle practices, and quiet encouragement for women who don’t need more to-do lists—they need room to breathe. Each episode is an invitation to pause, exhale, and tend to your body, soul, and spirit in ways that fit real life.

Inside, you’ll find reflections rooted in Scripture, simple sensory rituals, soothing scent notes, and small moments of play and rest. Nothing here is about fixing yourself or doing self-care “right.” It’s about meeting God in the ordinary moments—right where you are—especially on the days that feel heavy or overwhelming.

Episodes are calm, low-pressure, and designed to be listened to in short pockets of time: during a quiet morning moment, a late-night wind-down, or a few minutes alone in the car.

If you are sensitive, caregiving, faith-filled, and tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix, this space is for you. Find me at www.carrieshandmadeessentials....
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All content for The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers is the property of Carrie Scharf and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Hi, I'm Carrie, Author, skincare maker, HSP, and special needs mom. The gentle exhale is a soft place to land for highly sensitive women and special needs moms who are carrying a lot.

This podcast offers faith-centered self-care, nervous-system–gentle practices, and quiet encouragement for women who don’t need more to-do lists—they need room to breathe. Each episode is an invitation to pause, exhale, and tend to your body, soul, and spirit in ways that fit real life.

Inside, you’ll find reflections rooted in Scripture, simple sensory rituals, soothing scent notes, and small moments of play and rest. Nothing here is about fixing yourself or doing self-care “right.” It’s about meeting God in the ordinary moments—right where you are—especially on the days that feel heavy or overwhelming.

Episodes are calm, low-pressure, and designed to be listened to in short pockets of time: during a quiet morning moment, a late-night wind-down, or a few minutes alone in the car.

If you are sensitive, caregiving, faith-filled, and tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix, this space is for you. Find me at www.carrieshandmadeessentials....
Show more...
How To
Education
Episodes (20/115)
The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
A Softer Way to Begin January
A Softer Way to Begin January January often tells us to brace ourselves — to try harder, move faster, and start fresh with sharper edges. This short, gentle reflection invites you to begin the month differently. Our word for January is soften. In this video, I share: a simple intention for the month a sensory anchor to calm the nervous system a gentle self-care practice for sensitive givers and caregivers This is a quiet pause for anyone feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or weary — especially sensitive souls and caregiving hearts. You are allowed to take up space softly. This month doesn’t need your sharp edges. 🌿 If you’re looking for gentle, faith-centered self-care, you’re welcome here. Listen to the podcast: The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers Join my Monday & Wednesday letters: gentle beginnings and midweek stillness Explore my zines, journals, and books: available on Ko-fi Thank you for being here. May this month hold you gently.
  • Join my Monday & Wednesday letters: gentle beginnings and midweek stillness
  • Explore my zines, journals, and books: available on Ko-fi
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8 hours ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Soften the Heart Toward Yourself: For the Tired Caregiver
Does your heart ever feel "brittle"? Like a piece of clay left in the sun, the weight of caregiving, "shoulds," and a cluttered living room can make us feel rigid and exhausted. In this first episode of The Gentle Exhale, we’re exploring our word of the month: Soften. I’m sharing a raw look at my own living room floor—cluttered with my son’s toys—and how I’m learning to trade the "hardness" of perfection for the "softness" of God’s grace. Inside this episode: The Living Room Confession: Reframing clutter as evidence of life. The Clay & Oil Ritual: A sensory visualization to move from brittle to pliable. Scripture for the Weary: Finding rest in the way God gently leads us (Isaiah 40:11). [About The Gentle Exhale] This podcast is a soft place to land for highly sensitive women and special needs moms. We offer faith-centered self-care and nervous-system–gentle practices for women who don’t need more to-do lists—they need room to breathe. [Connect & Breathe] Subscribe for more quiet encouragement and sensory rituals. Today’s Affirmation: "I am allowed to be human today." Scent of the Month: Lavender and the smell of rain #SelfCareForCaregivers #SpecialNeedsMoms #HighlySensitivePerson #ChristianMeditation #TheGentleExhale
  • My newsletter
  • Hold the Guilt, Pass the Coffee: A Self-Care Strategy Journal for Special Needs Moms
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1 day ago
6 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
The Commonplace Minute: Ordinary Joys for the New Year
📓 The Commonplace Minute — Ordinary Joys for the New Year The New Year doesn’t have to begin with resolutions. It can begin with noticing. In this short Wednesday mini podcast, I invite you into The Commonplace Minute—a quiet pause to collect beauty, wisdom, and wonder on the page. Today’s theme is ordinary joys: the small, everyday moments that shape a year more than big plans ever could. You’ll hear: one line worth remembering a brief reflection a gentle writing prompt you can carry into your day This is an invitation to open your commonplace book and collect what already brings warmth, ease, and light—no perfection required. 🖊 What we write, we remember. What we remember, transforms us.
  • Newsletter
  • Carrie's Herbal Infused Skincare Cookbook
  • Moments of Light Zine, books, and journals
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2 days ago
4 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
A 3-Minute Glow Ritual for Winter Tiredness
If winter has been leaving you feeling tired — in your skin or in your spirit — this 3-minute glow ritual is for you. In today’s episode, we take a gentle pause together: ✨ one small skincare step for mature, winter-worn skin ✨ one centering scripture ✨ and one simple act of self-care you can carry into your day This is slow beauty. Quiet faith. Care that doesn’t rush you. You don’t have to bloom right now. You are allowed to rest. Come back next Monday for another 3-Minute Glow Ritual.
  • Skincare and Self-Care Newsletter and my website
  • Moments of Light Zine
  • Journals and other downloads
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4 days ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
A Soft Christmas Morning Ritual for Rest & Renewal
A Soft Christmas Morning Ritual for Rest & Renewal Christmas morning doesn’t have to be rushed to be meaningful. This gentle Christmas Day episode of A Season of Softness is a quiet, calming ritual designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and receive rest — right where you are. Through a spoken blessing and a simple, optional skincare moment, this episode invites you to release pressure, honor tired skin and bodies, and step into Christmas with softness instead of striving. ✨ In this episode, you’ll experience: A peaceful Christmas morning pause A gentle blessing for body, skin, and spirit A slow, comforting skincare ritual (optional) Permission to rest without guilt This episode is especially for you if Christmas feels tender, overwhelming, or emotionally full — or if you simply want a quieter way to begin the day. Listen while the house is still, before guests arrive, or anytime you need a moment of calm during the holiday. 🎄 Part of the Season of Softness Christmas podcast series — gentle skincare, self-care, and rest for winter.
  • free download - The 5 minute mindful self-check in
  • skincare and self-care newsletter and website
  • Journals and other downloads
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1 week ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Rest Even in the Midst of Celebration | Slow Beauty for Women 40+
In this gentle episode of Slow Beauty, we explore how to rest — even in the midst of celebration. This season can be beautiful and meaningful, but it can also be full. Full of expectations, gatherings, conversations, and stimulation. Even during joyful moments, your body still needs rest. In this short, calming podcast episode, you’re invited into a restful evening skincare ritual designed to help your nervous system soften and settle. There’s nothing to fix, nothing to achieve — just a few quiet minutes of presence, touch, and breath. ✨ In this episode: A reminder that you don’t have to earn rest Why rest matters for the nervous system, especially after 40 A slow, soothing skincare ritual to close the day Gentle reflection on letting “enough” be enough A blessing for rest without guilt This episode is part of our Season of Softness, created especially for women 40+ who are craving calm, care, and connection with their bodies. You can return to this practice anytime — even on the busiest days. 🤍 If this episode brought you a sense of ease, consider subscribing or sharing it with someone who might need permission to rest too.
  • Skincare and self-care newsletter and website
  • The pre-sleep unwind routine planner
  • Journals and downloads
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1 week ago
4 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Episode 4 A Season of Softness: Hands That Hold So Much
Our hands quietly carry so much — especially during the Christmas season. In this episode of Season of Softness, we slow down to care for our hands with a gentle, nourishing ritual. Winter weather, frequent washing, and the steady work of daily life can leave hands dry, tired, and overlooked. This calming audio invites you to pause, soften, and offer gratitude to the hands that give and serve in so many unseen ways. You’ll be guided through a simple hand-care practice using a balm or cream, along with quiet reflection and a spoken blessing. This episode is not about productivity or perfection — it’s about honoring the work your hands have already done and allowing them to rest. ✨ This episode is especially supportive if you: have dry or cracked winter hands feel physically or emotionally tired carry much of the caregiving or unseen work long for a quiet, meaningful self-care moment 🕯 What you’ll need: A nourishing hand balm or cream A few uninterrupted minutes A willingness to slow down Season of Softness is a Christmas audio series blending skincare, self-care, and gentle reflection. Each episode offers a small pocket of calm you can return to throughout the season. 💛 If this episode brought you comfort, consider subscribing for more slow skincare rituals and seasonal self-care.
  • Free download - overnight hand treatment
  • Moments of Light Zine
  • Newsletter and website
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2 weeks ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Ritual of Rest — Christmas Edition
Christmas can be beautiful — and it can also be full. In this Ritual of Rest: Christmas Edition, we slow down and reflect on the quiet way peace entered the world. Inspired by Luke 2:19, this gentle, faith-filled pause invites you to release pressure, soften your breath, and receive rest — even in the middle of the season. This short episode includes: A quiet reflection on how peace arrived at Christmas Scripture for rest and reassurance A simple embodied ritual to calm your heart A gentle journaling prompt for reflection You don’t have to make Christmas meaningful — it already is. ✨ Take a breath. 🕯 Receive peace. 🎄 Rest in what has already been given.
  • Skincare and Self-care newsletter and website
  • Moments of Light Zine
  • Journals and downloads
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2 weeks ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Season of Softness: Scents of the Season
In this podcast episode we explores the connection between our sense of smell and emotions, emphasizing the calming effects of subtle scents dissipated through aromatherapy. Carrie invites listeners to experiment with different fragrances in their daily routine and tune in next time for more self-care tips.
  • Newsletter and Website
  • Journals and downloads
  • [FREE] Festive & Calming Diffuser Blend Recipe Cards
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2 weeks ago
6 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
What to Treasure This Christmas | The Commonplace Minute
Christmas moves quickly — even sacred moments can pass by unnoticed. In today’s Commonplace Minute: Christmas Edition, we pause for a gentle reflection inspired by Luke 2:19, where Mary treasures and ponders the quiet moments of Christ’s birth. You’ll learn: What a commonplace book is How reflection helps us notice what truly matters One simple journaling prompt you can use this Christmas This short episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and keep the words and moments you don’t want to forget. ✨ Take one quiet minute. 📓 Write what matters. 🎄 Treasure the season.
  • Newsletter and website
  • Moments of Light Zine
  • Journals and Downloads
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2 weeks ago
5 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
A Season of Softness | Comfort for Dry, Tired Skin
If your skin feels dry, tight, or tired this winter, this gentle Christmas skincare ritual is for you. In this episode of Season of Softness, we focus on comforting dry, winter-worn skin with slow, nourishing touch and intentional care. Cold air, indoor heat, and busy days can leave both our skin and our hearts feeling depleted — this calming audio invites you to pause, soften, and receive comfort. You’ll be guided through a simple skincare ritual using a facial oil or balm, along with gentle reflection and a spoken blessing. This is not about fixing your skin or doing more — it’s about offering warmth, protection, and kindness to your body during the Christmas season. ✨ Perfect for: Dry or sensitive winter skin A quiet evening skincare routine Stress relief and gentle self-care Cozy Christmas reflection Slow skincare for mature or delicate skin 🕯 What you’ll need: A simple facial oil or balm Clean hands A few quiet minutes This episode is part of Season of Softness, a Christmas audio series blending skincare, self-care, and rest. New episodes offer gentle rituals you can return to again and again throughout the season. 💛 If this moment brought you comfort, consider subscribing for more calming skincare rituals and seasonal self-care.
  • Free winter skin barrier download
  • My Newsletter and Website
  • skincare and self-care journals and downloads
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2 weeks ago
5 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
A Gentle Christmas Skincare & Self-Care Guide: preparing the skin (and heart)
The podcast episode, entitled "Season of Softness," from the series "Slow Beauty: Skincare & Self-Care for Women 40+" hosted by Carrie Scharf, guides listeners through a self-care regimen to soothe and tend to both their skin and mind during the bustling holiday period.
  • The Cleansing Method Mini-Guide
  • Carrie's Herbal lnfused Skincare Cookbook
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2 weeks ago
5 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
The 3-Minute Glow Ritual — Christmas Edition
If Christmas feels full or a little rushed, I made something just for you. Today’s 3-Minute Glow Ritual — Christmas Edition is a quiet invitation to slow down, warm your skin, and reflect on the simple truth of Emmanuel — God with us. It’s gentle. It’s doable. And it only takes three minutes. Light a candle, take a breath, and let this small moment remind you that you don’t have to rush to be ready. 🎄✨ Press play when you need a pause.
  • Skincare and self-care newsletter and membership
  • Journals and downloads
  • Carrie's Herbal Infused Skincare Cookbook
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2 weeks ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Slow Down & Reflect | A Mini Ritual of Rest for Your Week
Take a quiet moment to breathe, reflect, and let God steady your heart. Today’s Ritual of Rest is centered on our word of the month — Reflect — and the comforting truth of Psalm 62:1: “My soul finds rest in God alone.”
  • Skincare and Self-Care Newsletter and Membership
  • Journals, Books, and other downloads
Show more...
3 weeks ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Words Worth Keeping: Start Your Commonplace Practice
Slow down, take a breath, and save the words that matter. In this short faith-filled episode, you’ll learn how to begin a commonplace book, why reflection helps us grow spiritually, and one simple journal prompt to try today. ✍️✨ Save this to revisit when you need a quiet moment.
  • Newsletter and Membership
  • Moments of Light Zine
  • Skincare and Self-Care Books, Journals, and Workbooks
Show more...
3 weeks ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Today’s 3-Minute Glow Ritual — Confidence Rooted in Faith
✨ Introducing the 3-Minute Glow Ritual ✨ Take a pause. Nourish your skin. Feed your soul. The 3-Minute Glow Ritual is a simple, gentle practice designed for women who want to feel cared for, confident, and connected to God — without adding more to their busy day. Each episode gives you three easy steps: A Skincare Step — A tiny, soothing action to make your skin and senses feel loved. A Scripture for Your Skin + Soul — A short, faith-filled verse to remind you of your worth and beauty in God’s eyes. A Self-Care Idea You Can Do Today — One small, doable practice to nurture your confidence, calm, and identity. It’s quick, memorable, and intentionally designed to help you pause, breathe, and glow from the inside out. Your skin. Your soul. Your slow beauty ritual — in just three minutes.
  • Moments of Light Zine
  • My newsletter and membership
  • The Radiant Renewal Journal
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3 weeks ago
3 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Episode 5: Glow Naturally — Everyday Habits That Feed Your Skin & Soul
Welcome, beautiful soul💛 In today’s episode, we’re talking about something so many women over 40 forget: your glow doesn’t begin with products… it begins from within. If you’ve been feeling dull, tired, puffy, or just not yourself, this episode will give you three gentle, doable habits you can start today—no overwhelm, no pressure, just peace.
  • Come get the next cozy letter or join my membership on Substack
  • The same cozy skincare and self-care is also available at buy me a coffee.
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1 month ago
5 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Confidence That Lasts — Rooted in Faith, Not Comparison
In the latest episode of the Slow Beauty: Skincare & Self-Care for Women 40+ podcast, host Carrie Scharf tackles the issue of comparison, a struggle for many women over 40. Carrie addresses how simple self-care rituals can turn into harsh self-criticism, emphasizing the need for talk to oneself with kindness and understanding. Drawing on Biblical wisdom, she underscores the listener's inherent worth and divine purpose. The episode also provides practical exercises, such as 'The Blessing Mirror Ritual' and maintaining an appreciation journal, which can be infused into daily routines to boost one's self-confidence. Additionally, Carrie offers ways to navigate the pitfalls of comparison, such as blessing those we compare ourselves with, taking social media breaks, and engaging with uplifting communities. The episode concludes with a prayer and an invitation to the listener to join her community, Oil & Light, for further support. Carrie leaves the audience with the message of embracing unique beauty and choosing self-acceptance and love.
  • Subscribe to Oil & Light
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1 month ago
6 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Episode 3: The 2-Minute Ritual That Makes You Feel Beautiful Every Day
In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, Carrie Scharf, host of Slow Beauty: Skincare & Self-Care for Women Over 40, discusses the importance of small, consistent two-minute beauty rituals that focus more on presence than perfection. While battling the pressures of daily life, she encourages women to find pockets of calm that bring them into alignment with their bodies and spirits. She introduces the Warm Cloth + Gentle Oil Ritual that uses a warm washcloth and a few drops of oil to nourish the skin and spirit. She emphasizes that this simple self-care ritual not only helps to enhance your complexion, but it also feeds the soul, making us feel more in tune with our true selves. Sign up for her Oil & Light newsletter or explore the memberships she offers, for an in-depth guide on gentle skincare and soul care paths.
  • Subscribe to Oil & Light
  • Oil & Light | Carrie Scharf | Substack
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1 month ago
4 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
The 3-Step Skincare Routine That Brings Back Your Natural Glow
In this week’s episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, we’re returning to simplicity — and rediscovering the glow that comes from gentle care, not more products. If your skincare routine feels overwhelming or your skin has lost its radiance, this 3-step routine is for you. I’ll walk you through a simple, faith-inspired skincare ritual designed especially for mature skin — using ingredients that nourish both your skin and your spirit.
  • https://www.buymeacoffee.com/skincarecookbook/e/477674
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1 month ago
6 minutes

The Gentle Exhale: Self-Care for Sensitive Givers
Hi, I'm Carrie, Author, skincare maker, HSP, and special needs mom. The gentle exhale is a soft place to land for highly sensitive women and special needs moms who are carrying a lot.

This podcast offers faith-centered self-care, nervous-system–gentle practices, and quiet encouragement for women who don’t need more to-do lists—they need room to breathe. Each episode is an invitation to pause, exhale, and tend to your body, soul, and spirit in ways that fit real life.

Inside, you’ll find reflections rooted in Scripture, simple sensory rituals, soothing scent notes, and small moments of play and rest. Nothing here is about fixing yourself or doing self-care “right.” It’s about meeting God in the ordinary moments—right where you are—especially on the days that feel heavy or overwhelming.

Episodes are calm, low-pressure, and designed to be listened to in short pockets of time: during a quiet morning moment, a late-night wind-down, or a few minutes alone in the car.

If you are sensitive, caregiving, faith-filled, and tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix, this space is for you. Find me at www.carrieshandmadeessentials....