September 18, 2025 • 7 mins
In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, I share why I see wrinkles not as flaws, but as markers of experience and the journey of a life well lived. Together, we’ll explore wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and honors the natural flow of time. I’ll also bring in a faith-based perspective, reflecting on how scripture reminds us that wrinkles are signs of wisdom and grace. I’ll guide you through a gentle herbal skincare ritual—one that isn’t about erasing or correcting, but about caring for your skin as it is. And finally, I’ll invite you to reflect on your own lines and marks as personal stories—narratives that reveal your unique beauty and identity.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf, and I
am so excited to have you join me today. In
this episode, we're diving into something that's often seen as
a touchy subject, wrinkles. We'll be reframing how we look
at them from different cultural and philosophical angles. We'll also
touch on some faith based insights that offer a uniquely
(00:26):
comforting perspective. And of course, it wouldn't be a complete
episode without exploring some delightful herbal skincare rituals, so stick
around for what promises to be an enlightening and rejuvenating discussion.
Let's start by taking a look at societal views on wrinkles.
In many cultures, wrinkles are often perceived as a sign
(00:46):
of aging that people try to avoid at all costs.
Advertisements flood us with anti wrinkle creams and treatments promising
eternal youth and flawless skin. But our wrinkle's really something
we should fear and fight against. I remember when I
first noticed a wrinkle on my face. I was standing
in front of my bathroom mirror, and there it was
(01:07):
this tiny line that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
At first, I felt a pang of worry, But then
a different thought came to mind. Why should I view
this wrinkle as a negative thing. Each wrinkle is a
testament to the life we've lived, the laughter we've shared,
and even the tears we've shed. Its evidence of moments
felt deeply, of experiences that have shaped us into who
(01:28):
we are today. So instead of dreading the appearance of wrinkles,
let's choose to see them as beautiful reminders of our journey,
our emotions, and our story. In essence, wrinkles can be
celebrated as markers of a life well lived. Now, let's
reframe how we think about those wrinkles by introducing you
to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is
(01:51):
all about embracing the beauty of imperfections and finding meaning
in the natural cycle of growth and decay. According to
this philosophy, the things that wear down and show signs
of time passing are not only accepted, but cherished. This
can be wonderfully illustrated through objects like a weathered piece
of wood or an old ceramic bowl. One of the
(02:12):
most famous examples is kinsugi, the Japanese art of repairing
broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the cracks instead of
hiding them. This art form teaches us that wear and
tear can add character and value rather than diminishing it. Similarly,
think of our wrinkles in the same way. They're just
like those golden cracks and a repaired piece of pottery.
(02:34):
You could say time has painted its strokes on our faces.
Instead of viewing skin changes as something to be fixed,
we can choose to see them as marks of a
life fully lived. These lines etch our skin with the
stories of laughter, loss, and all the experiences that make
us who we are. By adopting this perspective, we can
transform our relationship with our skin, viewing these changes as
(02:56):
natural and beautiful markers of time passing through us. Now,
let's take a faith based look at how we can
view aging and wrinkles, specifically through a scriptural lens. The
Bible often speaks about the wisdom that comes with age,
portraying it as a virtue rather than something to be
ashamed of. One of the verses that beautifully encapsulates this
(03:17):
idea is Job twelve to twelve, which says, is not
wisdom found among the aged, does not long life bring understanding.
This verse encourages us to see aging as a journey
toward greater wisdom and deeper understanding. Each wrinkle on our
face is a visible sign of the wisdom we've gained
and the experiences we've gone through in life. When you
(03:37):
look in the mirror and see those lines, consider them
as marks of faith and love. They are a testament
to the years you've spent growing, learning, and nurturing not
only yourself, but also those around you. Rather than seeing
these wrinkles as flaws that need correcting, view them as
crowns of honor that adorn your face. Feel proud of
(03:57):
the wisdom that comes with each one. By reframing our
perspective in this way, we can find beauty and grace
in the natural aging process, just as the Bible reminds
us to do. Now, let's transition to something more tangible,
an herbal skincare ritual that you can easily do at home.
This isn't just about skincare, It's about self care and
(04:18):
honoring your skin just the way it is. Let's start
with a simple, yet luxurious herbal facial steam For this ritual,
you'll need some rose petals, camomeal, and lavender. Each of
these flowers brings its unique benefits and delightful sense to
the table. Rose petals are known for their soothing and
hydrating properties, Camomile is fantastic for its calming effects, and
(04:40):
lavender offers a relaxing experience that's perfect for unwinding. First,
bring a pot of water to a boil. Once it's boiling,
remove it from the heat and add a handful of
each flour rose petals, camma, mail and lavender. Set the
pot on a safe, sturdy surface where you can comfortably
lean over it. Then drape a towel over your head
and the pot, creating a tent to trap the steam.
(05:01):
Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let the fragrance steam
work its magic on your skin. Spend about ten to
fifteen minutes in this aromatic steam, allowing your pores to
open up and your mind to clear. By taking the
time to perform this herbal steam, you're creating a meaningful
ritual that honors your skin rather than trying to correct it.
This is a moment to practice gratitude for your body
(05:23):
and all it does for you think of it as
a mini retreat, an act of love for yourself. So
next time you prepare your skin care routine, remember it's
not just about looking good, but feeling good and appreciating
every part of you wrinkles in all. Now, let's pivot
to a reflective journaling prompt that ties into our theme
for today. Consider the story that each wrinkle or scar
(05:44):
on your skin tells. Take a few minutes to write
about one specific wrinkle or scar. Reflect on the moments
in your life that led to its appearance. What memories
does it evoke? How does it shape the way you
see yourself today and your journey so far. Think of
your skin as a cherished storybook, with each line and
mark contributing to the narrative of your life. It's a
(06:06):
beautiful way to honor the experiences that make you uniquely you. Now,
I have a special invitation for you. If you're enjoying
these weekly rituals, reflections and herbal recipes, I encourage you
to join our Oil and Light newsletter. By subscribing, you'll
receive more of these thoughtful prompts and rich content straight
to your inbox every week. So if you're looking to
deepen your self care practice and connect more meaningfully with yourself.
(06:30):
Do check out the link in the show notes. I'd
love to have you as part of our community. As
we wrap up this episode, I want to leave you
with a final thought. Let's begin to see wrinkles as
love letters from life itself. Each one bears witness to
the moments we've lived, the love we've given, and the
wisdom we've gained. So next time you catch a glimpse
of your reflection, remember those lines are stories worth celebrating.
(06:53):
They radiate the beauty of a life deeply and fully experienced.
Thank you so much for spending your time with me
today and for joining in this conversation about embracing our
natural beauty. Don't forget to check the show notes for
any links or articles we mentioned in today's episode. This
is Carrie Sharp signing off from plants, flowers, oils and whimsy.
(07:14):
Until next time, take care and embrace every story your
skin tells.
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf, and I
am so excited to have you join me today. In
this episode, we're diving into something that's often seen as
a touchy subject, wrinkles. We'll be reframing how we look
at them from different cultural and philosophical angles. We'll also
touch on some faith based insights that offer a uniquely
(00:26):
comforting perspective. And of course, it wouldn't be a complete
episode without exploring some delightful herbal skincare rituals, so stick
around for what promises to be an enlightening and rejuvenating discussion.
Let's start by taking a look at societal views on wrinkles.
In many cultures, wrinkles are often perceived as a sign
(00:46):
of aging that people try to avoid at all costs.
Advertisements flood us with anti wrinkle creams and treatments promising
eternal youth and flawless skin. But our wrinkle's really something
we should fear and fight against. I remember when I
first noticed a wrinkle on my face. I was standing
in front of my bathroom mirror, and there it was
(01:07):
this tiny line that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
At first, I felt a pang of worry, But then
a different thought came to mind. Why should I view
this wrinkle as a negative thing. Each wrinkle is a
testament to the life we've lived, the laughter we've shared,
and even the tears we've shed. Its evidence of moments
felt deeply, of experiences that have shaped us into who
(01:28):
we are today. So instead of dreading the appearance of wrinkles,
let's choose to see them as beautiful reminders of our journey,
our emotions, and our story. In essence, wrinkles can be
celebrated as markers of a life well lived. Now, let's
reframe how we think about those wrinkles by introducing you
to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is
(01:51):
all about embracing the beauty of imperfections and finding meaning
in the natural cycle of growth and decay. According to
this philosophy, the things that wear down and show signs
of time passing are not only accepted, but cherished. This
can be wonderfully illustrated through objects like a weathered piece
of wood or an old ceramic bowl. One of the
(02:12):
most famous examples is kinsugi, the Japanese art of repairing
broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the cracks instead of
hiding them. This art form teaches us that wear and
tear can add character and value rather than diminishing it. Similarly,
think of our wrinkles in the same way. They're just
like those golden cracks and a repaired piece of pottery.
(02:34):
You could say time has painted its strokes on our faces.
Instead of viewing skin changes as something to be fixed,
we can choose to see them as marks of a
life fully lived. These lines etch our skin with the
stories of laughter, loss, and all the experiences that make
us who we are. By adopting this perspective, we can
transform our relationship with our skin, viewing these changes as
(02:56):
natural and beautiful markers of time passing through us. Now,
let's take a faith based look at how we can
view aging and wrinkles, specifically through a scriptural lens. The
Bible often speaks about the wisdom that comes with age,
portraying it as a virtue rather than something to be
ashamed of. One of the verses that beautifully encapsulates this
(03:17):
idea is Job twelve to twelve, which says, is not
wisdom found among the aged, does not long life bring understanding.
This verse encourages us to see aging as a journey
toward greater wisdom and deeper understanding. Each wrinkle on our
face is a visible sign of the wisdom we've gained
and the experiences we've gone through in life. When you
(03:37):
look in the mirror and see those lines, consider them
as marks of faith and love. They are a testament
to the years you've spent growing, learning, and nurturing not
only yourself, but also those around you. Rather than seeing
these wrinkles as flaws that need correcting, view them as
crowns of honor that adorn your face. Feel proud of
(03:57):
the wisdom that comes with each one. By reframing our
perspective in this way, we can find beauty and grace
in the natural aging process, just as the Bible reminds
us to do. Now, let's transition to something more tangible,
an herbal skincare ritual that you can easily do at home.
This isn't just about skincare, It's about self care and
(04:18):
honoring your skin just the way it is. Let's start
with a simple, yet luxurious herbal facial steam For this ritual,
you'll need some rose petals, camomeal, and lavender. Each of
these flowers brings its unique benefits and delightful sense to
the table. Rose petals are known for their soothing and
hydrating properties, Camomile is fantastic for its calming effects, and
(04:40):
lavender offers a relaxing experience that's perfect for unwinding. First,
bring a pot of water to a boil. Once it's boiling,
remove it from the heat and add a handful of
each flour rose petals, camma, mail and lavender. Set the
pot on a safe, sturdy surface where you can comfortably
lean over it. Then drape a towel over your head
and the pot, creating a tent to trap the steam.
(05:01):
Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let the fragrance steam
work its magic on your skin. Spend about ten to
fifteen minutes in this aromatic steam, allowing your pores to
open up and your mind to clear. By taking the
time to perform this herbal steam, you're creating a meaningful
ritual that honors your skin rather than trying to correct it.
This is a moment to practice gratitude for your body
(05:23):
and all it does for you think of it as
a mini retreat, an act of love for yourself. So
next time you prepare your skin care routine, remember it's
not just about looking good, but feeling good and appreciating
every part of you wrinkles in all. Now, let's pivot
to a reflective journaling prompt that ties into our theme
for today. Consider the story that each wrinkle or scar
(05:44):
on your skin tells. Take a few minutes to write
about one specific wrinkle or scar. Reflect on the moments
in your life that led to its appearance. What memories
does it evoke? How does it shape the way you
see yourself today and your journey so far. Think of
your skin as a cherished storybook, with each line and
mark contributing to the narrative of your life. It's a
(06:06):
beautiful way to honor the experiences that make you uniquely you. Now,
I have a special invitation for you. If you're enjoying
these weekly rituals, reflections and herbal recipes, I encourage you
to join our Oil and Light newsletter. By subscribing, you'll
receive more of these thoughtful prompts and rich content straight
to your inbox every week. So if you're looking to
deepen your self care practice and connect more meaningfully with yourself.
(06:30):
Do check out the link in the show notes. I'd
love to have you as part of our community. As
we wrap up this episode, I want to leave you
with a final thought. Let's begin to see wrinkles as
love letters from life itself. Each one bears witness to
the moments we've lived, the love we've given, and the
wisdom we've gained. So next time you catch a glimpse
of your reflection, remember those lines are stories worth celebrating.
(06:53):
They radiate the beauty of a life deeply and fully experienced.
Thank you so much for spending your time with me
today and for joining in this conversation about embracing our
natural beauty. Don't forget to check the show notes for
any links or articles we mentioned in today's episode. This
is Carrie Sharp signing off from plants, flowers, oils and whimsy.
(07:14):
Until next time, take care and embrace every story your
skin tells.
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