Consider for a second that the seat is shared with experiences by those friends you have online, while not physically there, I know what you mean, but the moments you share with people online can be just as meaningful. I am going to be 30 next year, and I know that is a decade younger, but instead of wish for some significant other, I take the time to value the friends I have around me, the one I talk to online, the work friends who have made me a better person, who I sometimes go to movies with and do game nights with. While I am "alone," I am simultaneously not alone.

You should never feel like you are behind, certain life things happen in different places and times for different people, and we all have out own experiences and environments that shape those experiences.

You mention going to see movies by yourself, is there any in person friend you want to go see them with? If not, is there an online friend that you could say hey "let's both see this movie by X date and share our experiences about it." Cause now you have filled that hypothetical empty seat with someone you can and do have a meaningful connection with.

So maybe less thinking that you see no prospects and maybe re-orienting your compass to those you already have around you, even if they are in the digital space. It took me a hot minute to stop comparing myself to my friends all the time, and truly be grateful for the time I do share with them, because life is too fleeting to not be grateful for those you have.

“Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived. After all Number One, we're only mortal.”
― Jean-Luc Picard

I always did like Riker's response to this statement...

I am going to go look this up now and watch TNG again

It went something like
"Speak for yourself, but I intend to live forever"

Ah yes. When the writing was good it was very good, that is all I am going to say.

Don't get too hung up on the "I must share my experiences with someone" syndrome.
The majority of my life's experiences are solo experiences, and I recall these events with great joy.
Yes, I do have a companion, but they don't always join me for everything I do.
It's always been that way for me.

Having someone to share experiences with can make it better, even if it's just a friend. But doing it solo doesn't mean the experience is invalid.
And someone I hold dear to me passed away, but the experiences I shared with them still live on in my memories.

It's OK.
Don't invalidate yourself.

I know exactly how you feel. I went through an existential crisis not long ago due to the fear of being alone for the rest of my life. It all started after I saw just how happy two very dear friends of mine were with eachother and I was like "why can't I experience that" and the like. While I am mostly straight and love women, my current partner is male. While I have no sexual attractions towards him, he is very sweet and kind and understanding, and he and I LOVE spending time together. So while he may not have been what I was looking for initially, He does indeed make me very happy, and I can walk with some level of confidence in life knowing that he is always there for me.

Believe me buddy, I know EXACTLY how you feel. *hugs*

I only got a (online, but we're working on it) GF a couple years back- I'm 42.

Where there is life, there is hope.

lol, dude, I only started looking a few weeks ago, because a medicine I added actually gave me my libido back.

I have no idea wtf I am doing. I have no idea wtf I want. I have no idea why anyone would want to be with me for any reason whatsoever. But I still have hope.

Dum spiro, spero.

I am prepared to go the distance alone, but I also know that it isn't a fate set in stone. Weirder things have happened.