I didn't have my first real relationship until I was 28. You're not falling behind in any way. Take the time to think about what you would want in a partner. The thing that helped me was trying to put myself out there without the expectation of finding anyone. I hated when my friends would try to set me up. There would be way too much pressure from them to "score.' Ignore the pressure and live your own life one step at a time! Edit: OP, please seek help for the thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore. It may not sound genuine from a wall of text from an internet stranger, but I have been there. I actually thought I was reading something I wrote in journals numerous times growing up. As hard as it is, ignore the pressure and the rumors. Take the time to address your mental health issues. I let mine run amuck for too long that eventually culminated into daily panic attacks and nearly commiting suicide. It will not be an overnight change in how you view yourself, but putting that work in is going to pay off in droves. People are going to pressure their views onto you no matter what, it will be up to you to drown them out. Your life direction may mirror what mine took in my early 20's. Ignore people like those below who say that I fell behind. If I didn't address things, I wouldn't be writing this today. I took my early 20's to address my own needs, not what others thought I needed.