Love and Self-Esteem: How Important Is Self-Love Before We Love Someone Else?

In Episode 4 of Human Relationships, we explore one of the most crucial foundations of love: self-esteem. What does self-love actually mean, beyond clichés, and how does the relationship we have with ourselves shape the relationships we choose, tolerate, and build?We look at how low self-esteem can create traps in love, including people-pleasing, fear of abandonment, jealousy, emotional dependence, and staying in relationships that quietly diminish us. We also share practical, realistic tools to strengthen self-worth, from self-compassion and journalling to boundaries, daily self-trust, and small actions that build inner stability over time.In the poetry section, we read C.P. Cavafy’s “As Much As You Can” in my own English translation from the original Greek, and we close with a brief line by Kiki Dimoula, also in my own translation, as a reminder that dignity is part of love.Follow on Instagram: @anthropon.sxeseis📩 [email protected]