I mean while most of this is true, saying looks aren’t important to long term happiness is just not the reality we live in. Living life as someone that people don’t like looking at grinds you down, ask anyone who is/was overweight.
You can do a lot to improve it, by wearing nice clothes being healthy etc, and you can make up for it by being the funniest one in the group, being the most interesting etc, but you’re also asking this of people who will likely have the hardest time dealing with strangers. I experienced a massive difference in how people treated me after I started going to the gym, just a lot more people smiling at me and treating me well when I hadn’t said a single word.
When the world is friendly to you when you do nothing, it’s a lot easier to be confident and funny and happy, and vice versa. I’m not saying to be doomer “there’s nothing you can do,” but just don’t ignore people when they tell you it DOES impact their lives negatively, even in the long term. Not trying to be negative it’s just frustrating when people take it from “this is not what’s holding you back from being with good people” (true) to “this has barely any effect” (false)
Pretty interesting question sorry all the redditors are downvoting this and giving you fantasy land looks don’t matter replies. A couple comments nailed it, if they’re out of your league then improve yourself until you’re in their league, or lower your standards. Looks are just one aspect of attractiveness, being an interesting/funny/enjoyable person to be around has a huge impact. Just bring something else to the table to bridge that gap.
If you don’t want to do that and don’t want to lower your standards, you can’t really expect them to go for you. Just have to put yourself in places where maybe an opportunity comes to you or you happen to click with someone ¯\(ツ)/¯