25 years old and never had a girlfriend

[Jonathan25]

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a girlfriend, but I'm not sure if I want a long-term relationship. I've never approached any girls and have never felt the urge to start a relationship. I've only had sex once, and I'm okay with that, but is it normal? Am I the only one who is okay with rare sex occasions? Should I just find a girlfriend to see what it's like, or wait until I genuinely feel the need?

Perhaps try dating apps? Not everyone wants or needs a relationship, I have friends who are perfectly happy with their own company, we are slightly older than you (Late 20's)

Up to you.

Having a girlfriend doesn't have to mean a long term relationship though.

I am genuinely interested why you have joined Mumsnet and have posted this here…

It's not obligatory, you're allowed to live your life single.

Edited to add: 25 is no age at all, you're still very young to be thinking this.

Don't try to force anything. Relationships should be organic, and develop naturally ...Join a few social hobby clubs or sports clubs, and maybe you will meet a few young women there. I know/have known a number of young men still single at 25. (It's not that old!) Then I see them at 29-30, and they're engaged to be married.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone. Your anwers were very clarifying. I think I will just accept how I am and don't overthink about it. Maybe someday I will be in a relationship, but I think it's okay if I don't.

Still got plenty of time

There are lots of young people who don't date. I think if you don't socialise very much, and maybe have a job WFH or without the opportunity to meet someone suitable, then it's not going to be easy to meet a potential partner.

Hence dating apps, but they're not for everyone.

I'd say just enjoy your life. Have interests, hobbies and maybe help others or animals. What ever makes you feel good.

Your priorities might change as you get older, and if they do, you're going to have plenty of time and lots of interests to help.

Surely this is very common at 25? You're not 45... but it still happens at that age too!

This is true. 25 isn't old. However, I was single at 24, and had had 4 'relationships,' (between the age of 17 and 22.) None lasted longer than 6-8 weeks, and at 24 I'd been single for 2 years. I was starting to worry I would be alone forever/left on the shelf etc...

Then a few months after my 24th birthday I met my now DH. (In a pub, when I was out with some workmates.) Started living together within a year, married within 3 years. Married nearly 30 years now, with 2 adult DC!

Seems silly now as I was still quite young, but most women I knew at the time were married, or engaged, or in a long term relationship by the age of 22-23 ... (This was the very early 1990s.) So yeah, weirdly I did feel time was passing me by, and I would be single and alone forever. Yep, even at the fairly young age of 24!