Growing up I was a fat, average- looking dude with social anxiety , nothing was really special about me, other than being a nerd and doing well in school, I was shy with girls and haven't been in a relationship. my whole life I worked on losing weight and focusing on external things in my body and life thinking that when I fix them girls will start throwing themselves at me, such a delusional man. I went from a 3 to 5-6 throughout those years.

I'm 22M in college, last year I said enough is enough and I should start speaking with girls, one day while setting in the library I saw a hot girl and wanted to try a chance with her. I made an eye contact, and guess what ? the most beautiful girl I saw reciprocated it many times, tried to smile with me when we crossed roads, looking at me randomly during the day. This felt unreal, like I was living a dream.

the eye contacts persist for a couple of months without any move from my side. I decided to take another approach found her Instagram and added her. Start to chat there, she was somehow receptive, but even after that when I saw her I would tilt my head away. after sometime I confessed to her about my attraction, she said " I'm not looking into relationships, you can be my friend". my heart broke, not because of her but because of my behaviors.

I came to a realization that my looks was just a mask for a deeper problem, I was avoiding girls not because I'm ugly but because deep inside I fell not worthy of them, I was convinced that not a single girl would be interested in someone like me and when the I got the golden chance I missed it. I still ruminating over her till this day, it has been 9 months since I sent the message but it crosses my mind everyday, every night, I dream about that moments when I got the chance to speak to her and I couldn't, I wish I could go back in time and get some courage and even say hello. that is not possible and it seems that I won't forget this experience my whole life, I have been depressed at this time and my depression has got worse, I start shaking when I see her in campus and my anxiety is through the roof these days.

Please don't underestimate yourself, a moment of courage could spare you a lifetime of regret, looks is important but personality and behavior is more important. After that long years of loneliness, my look wasn't the only problem but my insecurities are. if you want to start improving yourself don't forget the mental part, it is the root for all your problems.