Everyone I know are in relationships except me.

Hi just looking for some advice,

Is it normal to be single at 19?

All of my friends are in relationships and the ones that aren’t are at least in a “talking stage”. I was raised in a strict household where talking about relationships and dating was taboo so I was never given advice on how to talk to guys or what to realistically expect in a relationship. I grew up reading a lot of romance books, movies and rom-coms, and I’m scared that I’ve developed very high, unrealistic expectations for men and that’s why I’m the only one not in a relationship.

The thing is, I have a very specific type that I look for in guys. I want someone who reciprocates my need for intellectual and social stimulation. Someone ambitious who knows their stuff. Someone who I can talk with endlessly. Someone who is smart and social and knows how to lead and carry a conversation. I rejected a guy who liked me because we would hit it off when we texted over Snapchat, but in real life, our conversations were awkward and superficial. Which I feel like is a valid reason to end a relationship, but he was also super nice and giving and the fact that he was the first guy to ever like me made me doubt my decision of ending it because maybe I could’ve tried harder to make it work? And it made me think, what if I’m just socially awkward and that’s why I haven’t met any new guys or why guys don’t talk to me and approach me like they do my friends.

I just can’t help but feel very behind. I know that I should be focusing on working on myself and pursuing my goals, but I just can’t help but wonder if there is something wrong with me? Like why does it seem so easy for others to talk to guys, but for me it just seems like a one and done type thing? My friends tell me that I should just be myself and open up more, but I feel like I have been doing exactly that and I’m still not finding guys whom I actually want to talk to and get to know.

I guess right now, I just don’t know how to feel or what to do. Like should I be relieved that I’m not settling for a guy I don’t want? Or should I be concerned that I’m not experimenting with getting into relationships enough because I’m too specific with my standards?