We often hear the phrase “love yourself.” It’s a beautiful idea, a warm message — yet there are moments when this sentence feels too much, too bright, too distant. Moments when we don’t long for love, but simply for someone to sit quietly beside us. And sometimes, that someone could be ourselves. Maybe we don’t need to love ourselves at all costs. Maybe it would be enough… to be gentle with ourselves. ⸻ What is self-tenderness? Softening the inner hardness Self-tenderness isn