Dating as a big woman

I am a fat girl and I always have been. I’ve never liked the way I look and am terrified of putting myself out there. Everyone around me keeps telling me that I am beautiful and sexy, and that guys don’t really care all that much. But I just can’t gather the courage to approach someone.

So I guess I just want to put out the question of how’s your experience dating as a plus size woman? Does being big really shrink the dating pool?

Thanks