Self-love—an idea frequently reduced to simplistic, feel-good slogans—has become ubiquitous in modern discourse. From glossy Instagram posts to bestselling self-help books, the ubiquitous refrain is: “Just love yourself!” While well-meaning, this advice is akin to telling someone to “just be happy” while they’re weathering a storm. In reality, self-love is far more complex than a daily affirmation or the display of perfectly curated moments. It is about embracing the full spectrum of one’s humanity, including its messiness, contradictions, and imperfections.

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