Should I really feel like this at 22?

Hey everyone, I'm a 22yo male and lately have been going through a patch of time where I'm studying my life, where it's gotten me, and where I want to go. Aside from the usual 'career' based thoughts for the future and all that, what I have really been struggling with is the prospect of women. Ive had two girlfriends since I was 17, my first was for 3 years. Aside from those, there have been several flings. With that first relationship, things for me were largely based on the fact of having someone there, someone that cared for me, someone to hold. But on a sexual level, we never connected, and that contributed to the ineveitable break-up (which I still beleive was the right thing to do.) My second girlfriend was just a short two month fling, she came into my life after I had already bought my plane ticket and sold all my possesions to move countries and start a new life. Physically/sexually it was amazing, perfect even. Plus there was the knowledge of having someone there to love, hold, care for. But It was still missing the third part for me, which is a personality connection, something which I have still never felt with any girl that I have known.
Now that I have moved to a new country, made a fresh start, I felt it was time to spend some time looking within, and I'm starting to feel like there's hardly any point in trying to find this right girl for me, because every time I have emotionally involved myself with a girl it ends in me feeling heartbroken. And at my age, and the crowd I kick around with, the easiest way to meet girls is out at clubs, bars, partys, etc. But then I think to myself, the girl I'm looking for isn't one that would just go home with a dude she just met at a bar, not at all. I know I'm young, but I sorta already feel like I've had enough of dates, girlfriends, etc. I really want the right match for me, the right girl, the girl I can call up my parents about and say "This is the girl I'm going to marry".
SO to not turn this into a novel, I wont explain at length my personality traits, life story etc. I have this desperate yearning inside me for a girlfriend again, but once I actually get one the experience isn't as good as I expected, and I begin the cycle over again.I miss being single, on my own, so I go off my own way, then after a couple of months I miss having a girl in my life!
My question at the end of all this is, should I really be feeling this way at the ripe old age of 22? Am I just over-anylizing this like I tend to do with many things in life? How did you feel at 22 in terms of dating/marraige?
Just feels good to talk about this kinda stuff, It's hard to find good ears these days for listenin'.

I remember thinking around that age that I would definitely have a wife, all that stuff around then.

I do think it is pretty common, but of course, I am just one person, so that might not be too common LOL

I think it looks pretty normal to me, Radiant. I really do. Hopefully things work out for you.

Welcome to PC!

Hi Radiant

Wow you seem very intelligent and mature for your age! I had similar thoughts at your age and I had this idea I would be married at age 23! But this of course never happened. I guess what you need to do is just chill out a bit to put it plainly. You are still young. Unfortunately breakups are a fact of life we cannot avoid them. In my country it is quite normal at your age to go through many relationships and here it is common for people now to get married mid to late 30s!! So get to know yourself, enjoy single hood and maybe have some relationships when your ready. And it is also part of being a man - we have a need for sex. Without a woman is like not having an arm or a leg sometimes. But sometimes we need to be by ourself in order to know better what we look for in our future partner.

I'm 24 Radiant - you're not alone in that

Yeah it is part of life, very good point. I guess I have always been one to feel that one-night stands etc are just so hollow, I was usually the one to feel sad afterwards because I know it wouldn't happen again! Im in Australia too, and with the amazing looking women around here it can be hard to stay by yourself for too long But I know that I want to find that perfect someone (don't we all), and all I can do is hope she comes along in the next few years.

It's that damn personality match that gets me every time, I'm a very unique person and finding someone like me is hard, really hard.

Yep Normal

You sound pretty normal to me, Radiant. You're only 22 for crying out loud! I wish I could go back and explore things all over again. It's a marvelous time!

It is time to start getting serious about the future. The future is much easier when you have more of it to work with. It's kind of trite, but, what do you like best? DO THAT!

The best girlfriends are the ones you find when you are not looking. The thrill of intense attraction is just that-THRILLING- but that thrill is not what you build a lasting relationship on. It takes time and commitment from both to grow the kind of love that can last.

I'm so jealous-you're 22, just moved to a new country, you should have a blast! Just remember, don't get in too big of a hurry... the good things will come to you if you let them!

Not much advice here but 21, same situation. Day at a time bud

Radiant, I agree, totally, with DaveyJones. Dude, enjoy the ride! I'll be 63 on May 13th and man, even though I was just as effed up as I am now, I'm trying to find a way to reboot my body back forty years, using a wide variety of nutritional supplements. I want spontaneous erections, I want to be horny all the time, have the energy and optimism I had, be able to fall asleep easily and stay asleep or stay out all night, grab a couple of hours sleep and bounce right back.

Yes, wisdom does come with age and experience but just marry a woman who's a crazy b****h and you'll be longing for your single days.

Wow I think you are thinking a lot into things. You are young, you have no idea how young you are and how much life you have ahead of you. It is good you have a goal you want to achieve. No need to rush it though love and life can take time to develop and come to fruition.

If I knew then what I know now things would be hugely different for me. At your age I had no clue what I wanted or needed (still don't actually). I would have tried to experience dating more and tried to do something with my life (work and that kind of thing).

You don't want the club chicks. So stop going to clubs. You may want to find places that will have the type of women you are looking for. Find events or places you find interesting that may have women you may like. The only way to find a woman you like is to go to places those women will be.

Best advice I can give is enjoy life, figure out the career you want and be with the people that have the same interests and all you have and like. Things will fall into place especially when you are at ease and comfortable. Don't worry if your not married by a certain time. All you are doing is putting undo pressure on yourself and you will make mistakes in things you choose when you are rushing towards a time.

Good luck and try to enjoy life as much as you can, save money and don't be afraid to have a few one night stands or short relationships.

I can relate to how you're feeling. I'm 22 as well, have had two girlfriends only. First relationship was 3 and half years. And I'm still a virgin which disappoints me somewhat. So don't think you're alone in how you feel.