Yes, it is definitely something that I need to consciously watch out for and avoid if I see evidence of that sort of cycle about to begin. Also, thank you, oneagain for your input. It's something I'm definitely on the watch for, but it happened to me fairly recently.

Right now I'm not emotionally vulnerable -- I'm not in love, and not in any way emotionally committed. So I'm coming from a safer vantage point that I would be if my feelings were more advanced. What I hope is to be able to lay my needs on the table, and see if they are met before letting emotions grow to the level of vulnerability.