Cover photo: Facebook/Selena Gomez
It’s not just women who struggle with self-esteem when their partner is especially good-looking.
Proud as can be
I’m proud that such a stunning woman chose me. If you keep worrying you’re not good-looking enough for your girlfriend, she’ll leave because she won’t be able to look up to you! It doesn’t bother me when I see others checking her out—or us—it actually makes me feel great, like:
"Yeah, just look at the woman I’ve got!"
The struggles
I don’t put myself down or say I’m not good-looking, but it’s clear my girlfriend is a perfect 10, and I’m maybe a 7 at best. I try to handle it well and not show that it bothers me, but we recently had a big fight. She wore a deeply low-cut blouse, and I’m not kidding, even the kids stared at her in the mall. When we got home, I told her she can never wear that “boob-flashing” top when she’s with me—and especially not when she’s out without me! It caused a huge argument because it’s one of her favorite pieces, but I don’t care. I don’t want to feel anxious around her like some loser. If someone disrespects her, I’d have to step in and "defend her honor."
Leveling up
I’m a glasses-wearing, not-so-muscular guy. When I had no money, I had no woman in my life either. But as my software company grew and I got a nicer apartment, house, and car, women started showing more interest. Now that I have 120 employees and can live a truly luxurious life, my current girlfriend is "top-tier"—a former beauty queen. Would she be with me if I were broke? Obviously not. Does that frustrate me? Not at all.
The doubt
My girlfriend is stunning, and I’m, at best, just average-looking. I knew this, but it didn’t bother me much until I saw her exes. We visited her mom, who eagerly showed me old photos of my girlfriend—and a few with her ex-boyfriends. Every single one was ripped, Adonises a head taller than me. Since then, my confidence has taken a hit, and I can’t stop thinking that my girlfriend got fed up with those flashy guys—who could have any woman—and gave a chance to a guy like me instead. Because I won’t find anyone better than her, so I’ll never leave.
The blinders
When I was twenty, I looked good and had a girlfriend who always felt I was the better-looking one in the relationship. She was a bit curvy, but I loved her and never thought I was more attractive than her. Still, it bothered her, and she constantly struggled with it, no matter how often I reassured her it wasn’t true. In the end, I couldn’t handle the constant complaining, and while it wasn’t the only reason, we broke up. Twenty years later, I’m the one in those shoes.
Now, I’ve got a bit of a belly and less hair, and I’ve been with a woman for almost a year who is unbelievably beautiful. And smart, funny, and kind. I don’t make bad money, but I told her I’m not playing the lottery and don’t have a wealthy uncle leaving me a fortune—so if that’s what she’s after, she’s betting on the wrong guy. She just laughed. I have no idea why she’s with me or what she sees in me, but I feel she truly loves me. If that’s real, then I’m the luckiest guy in the world.
