When do things get easier?

I am sorry. Every baby is so different. Hang in there. ❤️

Things will get better but I think its also good to set your expectation right.
Not sleeping through the night, completely normal up until the age of 4 or 5.
Not playing alone, completely normal up until the age of 3 or 4 or even later.

I’m at this stage too 🥺 x

It gets better but until theyre older it doesnt necessarily get easier. Its just different.

Im in the terrible 2s and shes not even 2 yet. I just look forward to not doing nappies anymore and shes able to wipe her own bum.

Mine will happily play independently for up to 20 minutes depending on the toy. I get mummy look! During this but she doesn't want me to play she just wants me to see what shes done and goes back

It's very difficult. I read a book called The Nurture Revolution which said that babies will need us intensely until age 3, so that's a ballpark!
But what you describe is very normal. I assume it gets better (mine is 18 months) though I will say that as they get more interactive it does help and feels more rewarding.
Do you have anyone you can offload to or anyone who can give you some respite so you can sleep, recover etc?

Also want to say that being sick will 100% amplify all of these things. And it can be for weeks after they start feeling better, or even a few days before they start showing noticeable symptoms. When it's sickness-related it should pass, but it's normal for them to be clingy and not sleep or eat well while feeling ill.