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Carrie's Handmade Essentials

Join for recipes, encouragement, and inspiration.

Join for recipes, encouragement, and inspiration.

a 3 minute glow ritual for hands

A Tiny Glow for Tired Hands

Carrie's Handmade Essentials 3-minute glow ritual for hands We talk about glow as if it only lives on the face. But your hands carry your life. They hold phones and grocery bags.They open doors.They wipe tears.They type late into the evening. Today’s 3-minute glow is for them. Sea Salt Hand Reset You’ll need: • 1 teaspoon olive oil • A pinch of sea salt Mix in your palm. Massage slowly into your hands: the backs, the knuckles, the center of your palms. Take three slow breaths while you do....
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you are not running on fumes

You are not running on fumes

Reflect 🌿 February’s Final Breath A small collection of what steadied us. Steam rising in quiet kitchens A pause before replying Hands resting on cool countertops One deep inhale in the car Silence allowed to stretch Shoulders slowly lowering A breath that softened the edge Job 33:4 — “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Journaling prompts • Where do I forget that breath is given, not earned?• What changes when I remember I am being sustained?• Where in...
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a 3 minute glow ritual for ordinary days

A 3-Minute Glow Ritual for Ordinary Days

Carrie's Handmade Essentials A 3-Minute Glow Ritual for Ordinary Days You don’t need a full routine. You don’t need a spa night. You don’t need to earn this. This ritual is for ordinary days. The kind that blur together, the kind that feel practical and full and a little loud. We’re not trying to transform anything. We’re just softening the edges. You can move through this in three minutes. Or linger longer. Everything here is optional. Before You Begin If you can, dim the lights slightly. Or...
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What if quietness is strength?

What if quietness is strength?

Reflect 🌿 February’s Third Breath A small collection of the quiet in-between. Light moving across the floor Steam rising before the first sip A door closing without urgency Curtains shifting with a quiet breeze A sentence allowed to end Hands resting before they reach again The pause between inhale and exhale Quiet Strength “In quietness and trust shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15 Strength does not always look like doing more. Sometimes it looks like: • Pausing before responding•...
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3 minute glow ritual

It's Glow Ritual Wednesday!

Carrie's Handmade Essentials Milk & Oats: A Winter Softening Soak for Hands, Face, or Bath I thought I'd try something new with my 3-minute glow ritual on YouTube. This week’s ritual is part of the same gentle rhythm you’ll find in my newsletter. Winter has a way of tightening everything. Skin.Schedules.Shoulders. This morning, I tried something simple and old-fashioned and it felt lovely. The Blend ¼ cup whole milk 1 tablespoon finely ground oats Warm water (enough to fill a small bowl) Stir...
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For sensitive days: a soft exhale

Reflect🌿 February’s Second BreathA small collection of things you’re allowed to set down. A sigh you didn’t realize you were holdingShoulders dropping an inchWarm water running over your handsLetting a sentence end without explainingTurning the lights lowerClosing a door gentlyReleasing what doesn’t need to come with you Something You Can Set Down Before you read any further, see if there’s one small thing your body is holding. Your shoulders lifting.Your jaw clenched.Your hands gripping more...
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Moments that Matter Journaling Practice

You’re invited: Moments That Matter (a gentle 30-day journaling practice)

Carrie's Handmade Essentials Moments that Matter Hello my friend, I wanted to share something gentle I’ve been working on — especially for those of us who feel a little overwhelmed, tender, or stretched thin right now. I’ve created a free journaling practice called Moments That Matter, and alongside it, a Facebook group where we’ll move through the journal together over 30 days. This isn’t a productivity challenge or a “keep up every day” kind of thing. It’s a soft, supportive space for:...
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noticing what nourishes you

I was missing what actually nourished me — how to notice it again

Reflect 🌿 February’s First BreathA small collection of things that quietly nourish. Steam rising from a warm mugCool air filling your lungs when you step outsideThe scent of soap on clean handsSunlight moving across the floor as the morning passesA breath taken before respondingA moment of quiet before the house wakesSomething gentle entering without effort Something to Keep This week, notice what enters your life and body gently. Not what demands attention.Not what drains you.But what...
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As January softens toward its end, I’ve been thinking about how often joy and grief arrive together—especially for sensitive hearts and caregivers.

Holding Joy and Grief at the Same Time

Reflect 🌿 January’s Soft ThingsA small collection for days with more than one feeling. Warm light on the kitchen wall A favorite mug, even if the drink goes cold A song that feels familiar instead of inspiring A deep sigh you didn’t know you were holding Folding laundry slowly, one piece at a time The comfort of routine on an unpredictable day Letting joy show up without questioning it Something to Keep This week, notice one small moment of joy that arrives unexpectedly. It might feel simple....
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