Here I am, 52 and still single. Why does it seem so difficult to find genuine love nowadays? I’m not looking for perfection, just someone who truly understands me, someone who I can share my life with. I’ve had my share of relationships, some more meaningful than others, but none of them lasted, and as I get older, the question weighs on me more: why is it so hard to connect with someone on a deeper level?

Dating has changed so much over the years. It’s not like when I was younger, when meeting someone felt like a natural progression through life. There was no swiping left or right, no endless texting before even meeting in person. Now, everything feels more transactional, like we’re all looking for a quick fix, an instant spark, but nobody is willing to put in the effort to truly build something long-lasting. So many people seem to be more interested in surface-level connections—quick thrills, temporary companionship—rather than the messy, complicated, beautiful thing that is real love. I’ve tried the dating apps, attended social gatherings, and even gone on blind dates, but they all seem to end the same way: pleasant enough, but no real connection.

I often wonder if I’ve missed my chance, if the opportunity for real, lasting love has passed me by. I see friends who are married, with children or long-term partners, and I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on something essential. There are moments, like when I’m enjoying a quiet evening at home, when I imagine what it would be like to have someone to share those moments with—someone to talk to, laugh with, and just be with. I want a partner, someone who sees me not just as a whole person, but as someone worthy of love in all my imperfections.

I’ve spent so much time being independent, focusing on my career and my passions, that I’ve neglected to truly nurture the relationship with myself that could make me ready for someone else. But I know that deep down, I’m still capable of love, of connection. I’ve learned what I need and what I won’t settle for, and while I might be a little more cautious, I’m not giving up on finding the right person. Love may seem elusive, but I believe that it’s still out there for me, if I’m patient enough to wait for it—not the fleeting kind, but the real kind that makes all the struggle worthwhile.