I totally empathize with you. It's like you read my mind about this because I too am going through exactly what you are describing!!! I think it can be "normal" for some at any age...I am 31 and still feeling what you are feeling. I think it's great that you were able to articulate this so clearly, I have not been able to except in a vague poem that I wrote this weekend.

Random side note: I wish there was some way to control the face getting red thing, lol...