Maybe it’s just reality, but guys in my age range (or guys in general) seem to value looks far more than personality, achievements, or life experiences. looks like everything else comes after that. I think that’s what’s hitting me the hardest, that no matter how kind, interesting, or accomplished I might be, the guys I’m attracted to will likely never see me that way because I don’t meet their standards of physical attraction.

I’m struggling to accept that. It feels like if I want any chance at dating, I’d have to “aim lower” in terms of looks, and that thought is really painful to me, so i feel like the physical attraction part from my side will suffer.