Feeling hopeless about love at 26

I’m 26 (turning 27 next week) and I’ve been single for about two years. I realized recently that I genuinely want to fall in love. I want a partner, a stable relationship, and someday a family. The idea of building a life with someone actually excites me. The problem is that lately I’ve been feeling this growing sense of hopelessness about it.

I have been putting myself out there. I go out with friends, I’m open to meeting people, and I’ve tried dating apps too. But nothing really seems to click. Either there’s no spark, or the interaction just kind of ends before it goes anywhere. Sometimes I’ll get approached when I’m out, but the conversations stay really brief and we never end up exchanging contact info.

Online dating has honestly been even more discouraging. I’ve had dates cancel last minute, people stop responding the day of, or show up in ways that make it obvious they weren’t really serious. After a while it just starts to wear on you.

I also don’t always feel super comfortable going out alone as a woman, so I usually go out with a friend, which I know can sometimes make it harder to meet people naturally.

I know logically that I’m still young and that a lot can change. But emotionally, I sometimes feel this huge pit of hopelessness about love that I can’t seem to shake. I want a happy relationship and a family someday more than anything, and lately it’s been hard not to feel discouraged.

I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else has gone through a phase like this in their mid-20s? Did things eventually change for you? I’d really love to hear other women’s experiences.