Insecurities robbing me of matches?

Advice

I have come to the realization that the biggest thing sabotaging me on dating apps is me.

I get a decent amount of likes on all dating apps, I know that’s standard for women, but my matches are almost none. Part of it is I’m being picky, but part of it is also that when I DO find someone attractive and someone I’d consider, I talk myself out of it. I basically spiral into all of the reasons why I wouldn’t be good for the person I’m looking at. Instead of letting them decide later I’m a no, I decide for them and swipe left.

Some of it is my age(almost 40 and getting likes from men 10 years younger) and some of it is body stuff. I think I’m pretty by normal standards, look young for my age, I’m happy with my body weight, I look good in clothes, but I’m afraid after that I’m an accidental catfish. I am a mom, and it shows. I have a mom bod, saggy boobs, apron belly, and some loose skin from weight loss. It’s not a crazy amount of loose skin, but I don’t have a bikini body. So when I see a guy I’m actually attracted to, my brain immediately says he’ll be disappointed if he ever sees. Like if things ever got to intimacy he’d realize I’m not what he expected. Instead of risking that I just don’t match.

I guess my question is first how to get out of my own way? (I’m already in therapy) Do men have these high expectations of a perfect body or am I making it up? Do men understand moms come with a mom bod? Am I entirely too much in my own head about this?

Posted Mar 14, 2026, 3:16 AM UTC

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