I am just exhausted and hopeless when it comes to dating. It feels like every time I connect with a guy, I feel like we’re starting to make a real emotional connection so I agree to have sex with him, and then he isn’t interested in me for anything other than booty calls. Doesn’t even feign interest in my personal life or emotions anymore. It’s not like I rush into sex, I wait a few dates before finally saying yes. And there have been several guys who have ghosted me and told me it was because I wouldn’t have sex with them “fast enough”

It’s not like I’m a perfect person or anything, but I have no problem making platonic friends and think I’m a decent person and pretty fun to be around. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve tried all the dating apps, and being open to others in public, but I honestly can’t remember a time where a man was interested in me for anything other than sex. And it’s not like I’m a supermodel or anything. I don’t think I’m super ugly or anything, but I’m definitely a couple pounds heavier than I should be and don’t wear makeup.

I just feel so disgusted with myself after every sexual experience with a man, when it inevitably turns out that they were faking their interest in me to just get in my pants. It makes me feel like I have to pay for attention with my body.

I try to date men who are older than me, usually around age 28, in the hopes that they’re more willing to settle down and will want to get to know me as a person, but it’s been to no avail. Don’t get me wrong, I know there’s a lot of women who also have this mindset so I don’t want to come off like I’m bashing all men

I’m just so tired with it all. Is it really impossible (or close enough to impossible that I should just give up) to find someone who’s interested in me as a person, not just a sex partner? I’m starting to give up, and try to read romance books to fill the void in me that craves romance, but I’m still so lonely sometimes. Should I just give up? Are there any ways to meet people who aren’t interested in sex?