The speaker is someone who has experienced the hardships of love and less of self, and is now passing that experience on to others. Rather than existing in the present moment, the speaker is looking back at someone who is living what they once lived through — possibly speaking to their past self. Their tone of voice is gentle and compassionate, but firm; they’re not making half-hearted suggestions, but rather outlining the necessary steps towards healing. The speaker isn’t given any character specificity, but rather is portrayed as something universal that can exist in any time period or culture.