The 35-year-old actress, who is rumoured to be dating Going The Distance co-star Justin Long, told Bang Showbiz that she no longer desires romances that require a lot of effort.
"When you're young you just want to be in love," she explained. "I call it crazy love, because you just want to have fun and you're not thinking about the future or kids. You just want to have a good time with that person.
"Then, as you get older, even children aside, you just think, 'God, I actually like when it's easy, and I want these attributes from this person. I need these kinds of systems in place to feel calm'."
The Whip It director also revealed that she can't stand partners that don't live up to their promises.
"[I go for] someone who, when they say they are going to do something, does it. I really, really am attracted to any person, personally or professionally, who keeps their word."
Last month, Barrymore claimed to have lost count of the number of times she has been hurt by men.
