Was Dating Easier in the Past?

I always get the feeling that dating was way easier a decade or more ago. It feels like in the past that it was easier to approach people, more people were out and about, and there was a much more acceptable standard to do so. I have only been trying for 4 years or so and all the expectations I was told about seem to be skewed or straight up wrong/lies. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone who has been in the game longer also see this?