On an everyday basis, I’d say things that used to make me feel self conscious so especially looks and someone lingering near me. I read a lot on the train and I’d notice sometimes there’d be a guy staring. I started to hold their gaze, (not every guy just the ones I liked) eventually their face would turn from serious to a smile and some have approached me.

The ones that are a little more chatty too. In supermarkets they’d say something while we’re both in the line. If I’m being honest I think the more comfortable and confident I got, the more was happening.

I do think the outfits and the little bit of makeup I was wearing did help. I think it showed I was open to attention, in weird way. I look younger than I am so maybe it made me look my age too.

When I’m getting a coffee, I started picking up on something. I told myself it was something so I’d smile and engage in the conversation, I actually got a free coffee once. I was going to pay and he said “no it’s alright” and smiled at me. I was too scared to return to the shop but it did feel good.

I would go out just for sake of it too, normally I’d be in a rush but when I slowed down it was more likely I’d have that eye contact thing I liked or they’d try to talk to me. It started happening the more aware I was, it’s like they thought I was open to it. I noticed when I would go out with friends and guy would try and talk to us, they would include me too. Before they wouldn’t speak to me.