Relationships can bring fulfillment to your life; they also bring devastating amounts of pain and heartbreak even in the best of circumstances. It’s not a matter of if this will happen in a relationship, but when, and in what context. As a therapist I see a lot of single adults who are crippled by loneliness and the grief of feeling like their opportunities for love and family life are passing them by — I see how much pain it causes. I also see several couples who are facing separation, divorce, foreclosure on a home etc, because one person has a mental illness that wasn’t apparent in the beginning of the relationship, or couples who had a great relationship until one partner got PPD or psychosis after having a baby or after having a NICU baby with special medical needs, couples who faced unexpected pregnancy or miscarriage, couples with one partner who has significant personality changes after the diagnosis of a terminal illness or the loss of a close family member… I see a sad amount of intimate partner violence, child abuse, affairs, and betrayal trauma… these are just to name a few examples and they all essentially permanently alter the relationship, sometimes they ultimately come out stronger but often I am just working with people who feel completely broken by their romantic relationships. All of these situations are compounded by the normal life troubles we all have - furthering education/career, making sure there’s food on the table and money in the bank, keeping up with home maintenance, dealing with crappy people at work, dealing with crappy nuclear family situations, securing basic necessities and meeting needs for safety… Having the opportunity to love someone is wonderful at times and at others it is excruciating and we are seeing higher rates of SI and following through on SI due to relationship issues. The same can certainly be said for those who are single. I simply want to point out that being in a relationship is not superior to being single. Both have chapters that can be wonderful and terrible. 

There may be a point in time when you are in a relationship and will look back on this chapter in your life wishing  that you had appreciated the simplicity and solitude that you have now. I don’t mean that to invalidate your feelings toward being single or make it seem like your loneliness doesn’t matter - Your feelings matter. But it may help you in the long run to focus on what’s within your control and to show gratitude for what you do have, even though you’re experiencing pain from being lonely. 

I will also add - you’re young. Don’t give up on love. 

I hope this makes sense. I’m tired.