30 and single—sometimes I feel like love has changed so much that I don’t even recognize it anymore. I grew up believing that love was about connection, effort, and building something meaningful. But now, it feels more like a game—one where people are too afraid to be vulnerable, too distracted by endless choices, and too hesitant to put in the work. Is love really harder to find, or are we just expecting too much?

Dating in this era is confusing. Conversations start and end with a few texts, ghosting has become the norm, and commitment feels like a rare gem in a sea of “let’s just see where this goes.” Sometimes, I wonder if I’m doing something wrong. Am I being too selective? Have I become too independent? Or is it just that modern dating is built on fleeting moments rather than lasting connections?

I don’t want to settle for something that feels forced or temporary. I want real love—the kind that grows, the kind that’s worth fighting for. But at times, it feels like I’m searching for something that barely exists anymore.

Still, I refuse to give up hope. Maybe love hasn’t disappeared; maybe it’s just harder to recognize in a world that moves too fast. And maybe, just maybe, the right person is out there, feeling the same way, wondering if love is still worth believing in.