Help me with advice M20

In answer to your last question - Being in love feels like a million dollars. Like imagining to have a big win on the lottery again, and again and again - only better. That is the first phase (the honey moon phase) Then after you have fielded dirty socks, knickers, bras, cleaned the bath, the floor, heard them poop, be sick, be poorly and you still admire the very bones of them, then that settles in to a far deeper love. Love is doing everything you can to make your partner feel loved, supported and to share laughter every day and knowing it is returned. Yes you will have spats, disagreements but your love should be strong enough to talk it through when everyone has calmed down. Making a pact for life and feeling love in return is amazing.

Usually when you want something so badly - 'it never happens' so stop trying and take each day 'minute by minute'

Your phrase - 'Despite having multiple hook ups' is a loaded question? Sexual, Night out, Friendship, shared activity?

First you have to know yourself (and your attitudes, your religious outlook) and know what your own red lines are, know what you like, know what you dislike. Are you loud mouthed, extrovert, sporty, nerdy, gamer, story teller, geeky, odd ball, introvert, outdoorsy, animal lover, chef, maths brain, brave, scaredy pants etc etc What do you love outside of any study or work? If you know what your passions and interests are in your own life you can become ready to share them. Be open minded and courageous. If you are over 18 then ignore the rules and constraints of other people demanding you do x or y - these people are only interested in power and themselves. Work out what the real consequences are and work out why certain people demand you believe what they believe?

So plan your day, your week to make encounters in the areas that matter to you.

Then take an interest in others. Care more about others than yourself. In love you have to be your partner's back stop, cheer leader and complete mountain to support them in bad times, share the good times. Share laughter, share tears, be prepared to look stupid, be embarrassed. It matters not what because when you are dead no one cares. No one is going to remember you in ten years after your death for all the wrong reasons. You only have one chance at life, and every day you waste is a dreadful thing. Why lay wasted or be incapable of using every available sense you have when just getting up and walking outside could be the best thing you ever did today. You might just bump into someone who needs your help or your company. Challenge the rules laid down by others but know the consequences of breaking them. How are you held back by your own mental prison?

Look at all the support charities for loneliness, youth support, volunteering and immerse yourself into life 200% - keep busy and hope that you will meet someone in the next 60 years. It will happen (when you least expect it)

Look at the activities you think you could do, and then do them. Forget about 'getting a hook up' - just do the things you love with a passion and if anyone happens to walk alongside you in that exploration of life then I think you will understand what the start of a relationship looks like.

A sense of humour in this life has to be compulsory. Never take offence at the spoken words of others. They are easily misconstrued, misinterpreted and not always a reflection of the true self of the person making them. Do the best you can and do not be a moaner, a complainer or be cantankerous and divisive. Even the worst events ever encountered can have a positive item somewhere and you can always learn one new thing about the world every single day.

At 20 you are still a baby in this crazy world. Wait until you are 80 and still looking for love!!

Keep going. There is no magic bullet.