How do you deal with the crippling loneliness of being single? It's been really tough for me lately. It's hard for me to open up to people anyway, but even when I try to keep an open mind, all I can think of is that everyone is judging me. I honestly don't hate men, but frankly, my experiences with them have not been positive. The men I have been with throughout my life have been selfish, self-absorbed, mean, and inconsiderate. Obviously, I need to expand my circle and get to know other guys. The problem is, the "nicer" guys don't want anything to do with me, and whether they admit it or not (most of them won't), I know it's because I'm fat. I understand, okay? Guys want someone who is blemish-free and has all their sh** together. Unfortunately, although I do my best, I'm still figuring some stuff out. And yes, I'm a fat girl -- I'm trying to sort that out as well, but even if I tried a new weight-loss plan, it still wouldn't be an overnight transformation. And frankly, I'd respect a guy more if he tried to get to know me now, rather than wait until I was a size 6. I'm not saying that I shouldn't be held responsible for my weight - not at all. I alone have control over my body, same as everyone else. But weight management has always been a struggle with me, and that's simply the truth. The reason I'm thinking about this a lot these days is because, since I've moved out here, I can't help but notice that people tend to get married and have kids a lot younger here than where I'm originally from. And being 27 and single, I feel sort of like a freak around them. Granted, I don't know their life stories or anything, but it seems to be a cultural difference.

So, I'm kind of stuck in the middle. Either I stick with the guys who don't treat me right, or I keep trying to engage the nice guys, when I know there's really no point. Neither option is favorable, but I am so lonely, and it would be nice to find a partner in crime...