Hot Take: You have to love yourself before you can love someone else.

It’s a phrase we’ve all heard — maybe even said — but what does it really mean to “love yourself first”? In this episode, Roland and Hannah break down the complexities behind one of self-help culture’s most repeated mantras.

They explore the pressure this saying can create, especially when love isn’t linear, self-esteem fluctuates, and healing doesn’t have a clear endpoint. What if you’re capable of loving others deeply even while struggling to love yourself? Who decides when you’re “enough” to deserve love — and how do we redefine what that even means?

Through real talk and reflection, the hosts dive into authenticity, boundaries, and what it looks like to care for yourself without falling into perfectionism or hyper-independence. From reframing self-love as a practice to finding joy in your own company, this episode invites listeners to replace judgment with gentleness — and remember that love, for self and others, is an ongoing process.