I was in a really bad relationship (a same-sex relationship) during a couple of years of my life, and, in hindsight, I allowed myself to fall into that trap of being objectified and manipulated because I was experiencing desperation and low self-esteem at that point in time.

I suspect that, had I not been enduring the workplace-related toxicity that had been simultaneously present in my life, I would have come to my senses and left him very early-on in our relationship.

So, for me, it's not that I've given up on finding love -- I've just gotten a lot more confident and resolute about declaring my own worth, if looking toward the prospect of romance/marriage.