Feeling sad and empty

I am 23F coming from a very conservative country where non-virgin women are shamed. All my life I have been very studious and ambitious. However lately, I have been feeling so dissatisfied with life. All my friends are in relationships. I am the only one who is single. I dont have anyone to hold me or give me a hug. I am touch-starved and everytime I see couples anywhere it makes me feel empty. Career wise I am yet to be where I want to be and my social life is 0. I dont do hook-ups, and date to marry, so that has led me to this state of perpetual singlehood. I have never been flirted with or asked out. Being an average looking woman and shy doesn’t help either. I lose hope everytime I see the rampant misogyny in the opposite gender and the general disregard that plenty of men have for women. It feels like there are no single good men anymore. All are taken and the ones that aren't, wil never choose an unattractive woman like me. Life does feel very dark right now. I wish someday I can find someone who will be kind to me. I also hope that someday I have a career that can make me feel secure. Idk if dreams can come true, but all I can do is hope

Casheyane · 31-35, F

Waiting takes time. But don't give up on quality man and quality life. Hang in there. In the waiting time, work on your self image.
My mom shared her wisdom to me. She said that every girl is beautiful in our own ways. But it is up to us to enhance it.

Focus your time and energy in becoming the version of you that is confident and that loves yourself. Invest in yourself. It can be really hard not to let ourselves be affected by surroundings. So if you can, knowing that your surroundings don't align with your principles and the life you want, change your surroundings.
It takes courage to hold on to dreams when everybody else is busy settling. But if you know in your heart that that is what you want, do not ever hurt yourself by settling.

Everyone is a work in progress. There is no shame in that. But what would make you above others is accepting that and working to improve that.

Quality women ought to lift each other up. So fighting to you! :) You deserve to fight for you.

JamesBugman · 56-60, T

It seems as though your focus is off, you need to concentrate on something else and not worry so much about being like everyone else.
Pick something you enjoy, a career, a musical instrument, knitting, a sport maybe.. maybe you like to travel, and make that your focus. Don't worry so much about things you can't control.
If you need a hug, someone to love, a large dog fills that void nicely.

in10RjFox · M

The problem is your shyness as it would not let you achieve anything in life because the world is getting more and more open and daring. Just wishing or hoping is not going to help. Online was a great place once but now you have to be slow and cautious. Being a conservative Indian family, sure talks must have started to get you married?