Destined to be alone?

I'm guessing you haven't got your own 'self' constructed. It's hard to find a compatible partner that you can be interdependent with. Sounds to me like you're fairly young and have not yet someone who's th right partner for you.

It took me to my mid-40's - and it wasn't 'aging out,' we'd known each other for years -- we just didn't click until (I guess) we were ready to settle down. She was finishing her PhD and I'd had my own business for many years and was ready to share a home.

Don't push yourself, don't rush. You've got your own inner timetable and you might not even know what it is yet. But it's hard to form a comfortable partnership until you've got your own life sorted.

I can sympathize. I don't think the problem with you, I think the problem is society has some "ideal" relationship model that we are forced to adhere too. It's complete and utter rubbish that all relationships are supposed to be one way, but people have really bought into it.

In my personal preference, the ideal relationship is "co-independence." I want to be with someone because I want to, not because I am obligated too. I want to be able to tell someone "yes" when I feel up to it and "**** off" when I don't without ruining the relationship. I think we need to stop expecting our partners to meet our ideal and recognize that they are independent creatures with independent motives and desires that don't always include us.

If you couldn't tell this is something I am extremely passionate about. Rant concluded.

It often happens when one has so very many options.

Eventually you'll age out and your options will shrink.