Can you feel attractive without attention from the opposite sex?

[paddington bear]

Just wondering has anyone any ideas how to remain confident and feeling attractive when you've been dateless for months or maybe years?

 

I know for me, when there is nothing going on, no one showing any interest, that my self-image plumments and because I'm not getting hit on, or asked out or flirted with (despite my best efforts) I start to believe that I am ugly and worthless, but when I'm flirted with or asked out, I feel much more confident.

 

Is self-worth in terms of dating like a mirror where you need to see yourself reflected as attractive in someone else's eyes in order to feel truly attractive, or is there a way to keep that feeling, even when there is no 'mirror' there, no dates, no flirting? Or is that simply impossible?

 

Just curious as now that I have someone (admittedly not the love of my life) that horrible desperate feeling is gone, I don't feel ugly, or too fat or too whatever. He has made me realise that I am desireable...but it would be nice to be able to geninely to feel that way without relying on a member of the opposite sex to make you feel so and I'm wondering is there a way, when maybe all evidence points to the contrary.