Looks can give you a boost/foot in the door but they are only part of the equation. Personality is what makes or brakes your chances and will take you further in the long run. Tons of good looking people are “willing to settle” for less attractive partners they enjoy spending time with rather than going with “someone on their level” who’s as engaging as a piece of wet cardboard.

Be someone people want to interact with and your chances to find a supermodel will increase significantly.

Also, just because you don’t think you’re 10/10 doesn’t mean others don’t find you attractive. Many decent looking people tend to underestimate their attractiveness when, with a little work (proper clothing, basic hygiene and a new haircut), they could start turning heads left and right.

I can’t help with “now” but it definitely wasn’t locked the whole time. I used to have an account on Misskey.io without any issues or need for VPN (that was before they changed the registration rules though).