I went ten years between my first partner and my second. Towards the end it was really badly affecting my self-esteem and I felt like there must be something wrong with me for not being able to get a boyfriend when a lot of other people I knew were going in and out of relationships like there was a revolving door.
I was with my second partner for three months, then realised that I had only really wanted the satisfaction of knowing that a relationship was a possibility for me; I didn't actually want the relationship. I liked the guy well enough but was happy for us to not get any more serious than we were at that time and he wanted us to buy a house and move in together within the year. So it got to the point where we broke up, he stalked me for a while, I had to call the cops on his ass...good times good times 8(
Anywho, that was about three years ago...the psycho pops up every now and then to show he's still obsessed with me, bless him...but this time around I am actually super content being on my own. The funny thing is, before the stalker I was super bitter and anti-relationship, after the stalker I am much more chilled about it but I recognise that I don't really want one either. I am open to the idea and there have been a couple of guys since the stalker that I have considered as relationship prospects, but at the end of the day I actually really like being single. I value my independence, and I think a lot of people have an unhealthy need to be in a relationship with ANYONE else who will have them not because that person really adds something to their quality of life, but just because they're scared of being alone.