Self-Esteem:

"Self-esteem isn't a binary (you either have it or you don't); it's a spectrum, and chasing it blindly can backfire."

"Self-esteem is essentially your overall sense of self-worth—how you evaluate your value as a person ..."

"Some research (e.g., Baumeister's reviews) critiques "self-esteem boosting" as overhyped; artificially inflating it (e.g., via affirmations) can lead to narcissism or fragility when reality hits."

"In individualistic societies, self-esteem is idolized, but Eastern philosophies (e.g., Buddhism) view it as illusory—attachment to self-worth causes suffering." [~positive tension?]

"Genetics play a ~50% role (twin studies), but environment/experiences shape the rest. You can "gain" it through practices, but it's effortful— not a quick script."