I came across a perspective I hadn’t thought of before, and it really struck me. We often encourage people to “just love themselves,” as though self-love is the answer to everything. But what if it’s not self-love that’s missing? What if the deeper need is love and acceptance from a community?
This resonates with what’s happening in the world right now. So many people know who they are and have embraced self-love, yet they still face fear and uncertainty—not because they doubt themselves, but because they’re unsure of the support they’ll receive from those around them.
The fear of not knowing if your neighbor will stand up for you, or if a family member will have your back, is very real. Even love within a family or community isn’t always enough to overcome societal pressures, and many people are left wondering where they stand. It’s a terrifying feeling to love yourself but still worry about whether your community will accept or defend you.
This new perspective has changed how I view self-love. While it’s crucial, it’s not always enough on its own. Humans are social beings—we were never meant to navigate life entirely alone. Community love and support matter deeply, and it’s a reminder to show up for others, especially when fear and division are so prevalent.
I’ll think twice before casually advising someone to “just love themselves” because sometimes, what we really need is to love and be loved by the people around us.
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