I do hate to tell you this but sex is never 'meaningless'. It is impossible for sex to NOT have some meaning - even if "just for the fun/thrill of enjoying sex" - because there's another person there and for good or for ill, that person will have an impact upon you regardless of the "relationship" between you two.

From "what was I thinking?" and "how much did I drink last night?" to "WOW! Whatta man/woman!" - there's always a meaning and, more often than not, a lesson to be learned. Each and every time with each and every partner.

So when you're looking over the girls, do not look for some ideal, you won't find it, instead look for low-risk opportunities to learn something, to feel something, to understand something. So she's not your soulmate, so what, you're probably not her's either - but for right now and right here - she may be perfect- if you give her a chance, if you give yourself a chance.

Normal and romantic. Good for you.

Sex without some emotional connection is simply performing another normal bodily function. Not that women, too, do not sometimes want sex for sex sake, but men have an imperative to dispose of excess semen (storage space!) from constant spermatogenesis and semen production. But simply discharging it, even into a vagina, without some feeling is simply hooking up and doing because you can.

No need for a lifelong connection, yet, but a partner with some some common interests for whom there are some feelings will get you over this conundrum.

Personally, I have periods where I have no interest in anyone sexually, periods where I can't get enough and as long as they aren't grotesque I'm willing, and then times when I want to hold hands and cuddle.. I think everyone goes through phases.