This may not be much help, but I started trying to get into contact with my spirit guides a few months ago, and I think I was trying too hard at first because nothing ever happened. However, one time I was meditating and trying to reach out to my guides, I had this clairsentient moment of this feeling of “Just relax. Don’t try so hard. Be open to meet with them when they’re ready — it’s not all about you. Communication is a two-way street.” for lack of better words 
From that point on, I started regularly meditating and reaching out, not expecting anything in return. I just let them know that I was open to meeting them if and when they wanted me to meet them. I devoted time to them and gave them fresh water on a part of my altar that I set up for honoring my ancestors. Eventually, after I had a regular daily practice of showing them that I genuinely care for them, one day, out of nowhere, the phrase “cross the veil” popped into my head, so I offered some more water at my ancestor altar, sat down, put a protective sphere around me and my space, and opened myself up to whatever may happen.
A long-deseased family member (my paternal great-grandma) began interacting with me, and I learned that she was my guide in the kitchen who lets me know when I need to adjust seasonings, even without tasting what I’m cooking, and when I need to take something off the stove.
TLDR: Sometimes just giving in to the experience and not expecting or forcing anything to happen can open doors that lead to great things 
Edit: This is the post where I talk about my experience with my spirit guide more in-depth