How do you prevent yourself from getting easily attached to people?

Hi there! You and I have exactly the same problem. The two previous answers highlight the good side of being overly affectionate towards others, but I've experienced the bad side of it (ie. breakup because of me being too clingy) which resulted in self-loathing that helped me slowly improve myself. I realized that I was most clingy around my friends when I felt that I had no control over my life. During those times, I felt that my friends were the only way that I could stay sane and be happy, because they were my reminders that I was a good person. Also focusing on people I cared about was my way of procrastinating instead of facing my own problems, because I felt productive when making people happy. But when I was getting a lot of work done and had a sense of control over my life, I could assert my independence and I didn't 'need' others to improve my day per se.

So I think that's what you need to do. You need to find ways of distracting yourself so that you don't need their presence all the time, and that doesn't require pushing them away or dramatically 'switching moods'. You need to find ways of being independent so that you can feel happy under your own skin, with their support as a side dish. It will actually make you feel better as a person, because you'll be maintaining a healthy work and social lifestyle all at once! Being with friends after a productive day will be all the more rewarding, and gradually, you'll gain the balance that you seek.

Another suggestion I have is to contact them via email once a day instead of via chat or sms. I find that I tend to reveal so much information at once when I chat because I feel that I can't wait to share everything with that person and find out more about them. That can be pretty bad because 1. finding new things to say will be quite difficult, and 2. you get too personal very easily. Writing emails will ensure that you plan what you want to say, because emails won't be answered immediately, so it stops you from saying impulsive things before pressing that send button.

I think maybe just make sure you're not the only one doing the work in any relationship. Like, let them call you instead of always initiating things. Ask questions that are on about the level they ask you to keep from being more personal than they'd like. When meeting new people, get to know them in groups so there is less pressure on the new relationship.

I should say that I have trouble putting myself out there, so people like you with the opposite problem are always nice to find because otherwise I just never get past the acquaintance stage. So I don't think you should really try changing too much. It's okay if you don't gel well with everyone because there are still going to be the types of people out there like you or the opposite of you that appreciate a warm person.

lol I used to be the same way. Trust me, I'm sure if they found you annoying they'd be the ones distancing from you.

My teacher used to say; If you look at yourself, you will find lots of things wrong with you. But to a friend looking at you, there are none.