Thank you. I know that self-confidence is very important, but there are times when it's REALLY hard to be confident. Complaining does nothing, I know it as well. Maybe girls' preferences depend on a specific country? I don't know. Cycling helps me to forget about my problems, but of course it's impossible to cycle for 24 hours haha...
I agree, and I want to make it clear that I do not adhere to this philosophy very well myself. I would be lying if I said I never indulged in wallowing in self pity, it is much easier to turn our feelings inwards instead of taking on the great existential dilemmas of our world today, or even of our personal situation.
It is hard in this life because we get two different messages from society:
One is that your youth, virility, and appearance, are ALL that we have of value.
The other is that we are all whole, valid human beings and we should never be down on our self because this is bad.
These two messages are completely at odds with each other. We can't just "switch off" our desire for acceptance, because it is culturally ingrained into us from birth. I have only semi-achieved this because I rejected the whole of society to do so, and that of course has terrible ripple effects which almost defeat the purpose. I would not recommend it.
I love cycling, I am jealous. I moved to the windiest city on earth which also has loads of rain, hills, and tiny narrow winding streets, so I don't cycle any more. Send me a good thought next time you're on your bike so I can tag in on the bliss :D
Good luck friend, I hope you find peace in some way or another.