[Dawn70]

Don't filter! Post honest pics. And for heaven's sake, do NOT compare yourself to other women. You are unique and special and amazing in your own right. Don't look at other people and try to measure your worth based on what you see of them. I don't wear make-up at all. Haven't in years. When I put up my OLD profile, I chose a couple of close-up face shots (no make-up) and a couple of full-length ones because I had already said I was a big girl, but I wanted them to see what that meant. Men are very visual and "big" is relative.

I understand your nervousness and lack of confidence. I experienced those same things when I first looked into OLD. I, too, had a rather long profile, but to me it helped me sort the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, in that those who had obviously taken the time to actually read the whole thing and talk to me about things contained in it were the ones I would communicate with while those that led with crap like "you are beautiful" (nice try, buddy, but no) or "oh you are a teacher....my mom (grandma, sister, aunt, best friend's sister's husband's cousin twice removed) was also a teacher" (no kidding, Captain Obvious...thanks for the autobiography) got ignored right from the start.

It's a weird world to navigate and there are some odd ducks out there for sure, but think about those of us on here who have dipped our toes into that particular pool. I dare say, at some point, all of us have found quality folks. If I remember their stories correctly, J9 found his doctor lady OLD and I found Sparky that way. I even want to think that Andrew had some online connection to his lady B, but I may be fuzzy on that particular one. My point is that while there are crazies, there are also decent folks looking for love out there. Try not to get too discouraged or be too nervous. You are wonderful and the right person will recognize that whether they come from OLD or you bump into them with your cart in the middle of a crowded grocery store.