“Maybe I could stand to be a little more bitchy or demanding?”

No. Please, no. I’m also baffled at people who are drawn to high-maintenance, “bitchy” people. But there are people out there who appreciate sweetness. Really. I’m shy and introverted and not conventionally attractive, but after many years of *nothing*, I finally found a romantic partner who appreciates my sweetness as much as I appreciate his. Unfortunately, people like him are few and far between. But people can and do grow up and change. There is hope.