Is dating dead?

I’m genuinely curious how others are experiencing dating right now, because it feels very different than it did even a few years ago.

I don’t mean this as a complaint or a “things were better back then” post. I’m trying to understand whether what I’m experiencing is personal, generational, app-driven, or just the current state of dating.

It feels like connection has become faster, lighter, and more disposable. Conversations are often great one day and gone the next. Dates happen, but momentum doesn’t always follow. There’s attraction, chemistry, even intimacy—but it can still feel oddly non-committal or temporary.

At the same time, it also feels like many of us want something real: consistency, emotional safety, someone to build routines with—not just someone to meet up with when it’s convenient.

So I’m wondering:

• What does dating look like for you right now? • Are most people actually dating anymore, or more “talking,” “vibing,” and seeing where things go? • Do you think apps have changed expectations around effort, patience, or exclusivity? • Is this just part of dating in your 20s/30s/40s, or does it feel fundamentally different than before? • For those who have found something solid recently—what do you think made the difference?

I’m not anti-hookups, anti-apps, or anti-independence. I’m just trying to understand how others are navigating connection in a time where everyone seems more aware, more guarded, and more busy than ever.

Would love to hear honest takes—especially from people who feel hopeful and those who feel burned out.