To grieve over being alone like this, never being loved, and no end in sight?

It is ok to grieve for the life you thought you'd have. But 38 is no age. You could still meet someone and experience that love.

OP its really not too late. I met my DH when I was 46, got married at 47.

You already have the LOYL - your child.

I was married for 20 years with two beautiful children - he left for someone that was everything I wasn’t. I was never ‘enough’ for him. I had the best group of girlfriends to lean on and when I finally took the plunge with online dating(for a little bit of entertainment in the evenings)I found a wonderful man who was everything that my exh wasn’t. I was nearly 51 years old. We’ve been together 5 yrs and married for 3. I have never been happier. Life is a journey and you never know where it may lead. My one piece of advice is to be yourself, so if/when the right person comes along you know they love and accept you for exactly who you are 💐

Do you care about other people in a generous way ? 'Being loved' sounds quite passive and I wonder if turning it around to trying to focus on other people in a positive way could help too but you may already have lots of healthy friendships. I too think you're so young so don't be discouraged. And work on feeling happy with simple things you already have as that inner cheerfulness can draw more and more positive things .

you'll know what love feels like as your DC grows up. You'll be the centre of their universe.

No idea op but following as a lone parent who can't date as children's father doesn't see them so no days off. I've been alone for 8 years and feel sad I'm getting older looks fading and missing the best years of my life.

I know several women who got into ltrs and marriages "later" (40s plus); don't write yourself off.

My widowed grandmother had a love interest in her 90s!

You're only 38 FFS.

So what, if you look older than you did. You're still young and love/romance/relationships don't have an age cut off. My sister's acquaintance remarried at 59 after divorcing (and her first marriage was awful).

38 is no age. I know people who have found the love of their lives at all ages even into their 60/70s. Don’t give up hope. Try to make your life a really happy one without someone in it and then someone will come along.

Do some self love practice, start appreciating life, your health, your child and think about all the positives and what you would like to do that’s within your power to make your life more positive.

Aim to go swimming or running once a week.

Get out in nature with your child for walks and adventures.

Join a book club/dance lessons/art class.

socialise with family and friends more.

Once you stop focusing so much on finding this person that is when they come along.

Completely understand where you are coming from. Think it is a kind of grief, grieving for the loss of the life you wanted and it feels very hopeless and lonely.

I have never been loved either (or not in the way I wanted to be). Coming to terms myself with that may just not exist. Xx

Honestly I don't think this is as unusual as you think it is. Just because people are in relationships it doesn't always mean they have those things. I think many go through life having never truly been loved.