My hijab journey - feeling conflicted, anyone relate?

As-salamu alaykum, sisters. What pushed you to start wearing the hijab? I’m torn about my feelings. Honestly, I hated being looked at in a lustful way by men - like they only saw my body and not who I am inside, my personality or character. Of course I want to wear the hijab for Allah, but I used to wear it only sometimes. When I did, I noticed people treated me with more respect in public and I liked that. At the same time, oddly, more men have been approaching me in public lately, so I don’t know what to make of it. Also I had an acquaintance who showed his true colors - he judged me harshly because I wasn’t covering “properly” and said I’d go to hell and so would my future family. He made me feel awful, crying every day and questioning my worth. He presented himself as a pious type, always lecturing me about clothes and character, calling me a bad person, yet he did haram things and had multiple girlfriends in the past. I never judged him, but he looked down on me for not wearing hijab while he acted hypocritically. I feel guilty and hurt that I let someone like that affect me. To be honest, maybe it was a lesson. I started wearing the hijab consistently - this time sincerely for myself and for Allah. I wanted the respect and to avoid being viewed in a disrespectful way. I do feel more respected now, and I pray I never go through that draining period of crying every day again. Would love to hear your stories and advice, jazakillah khair.