The only reason anyone has ever figured out they were wrong is precisely because of that defense mechanism. Ironic.
I fail to appreciate people once they develop feelings. The only way I've been able to fall in love is if I know they don't reciprocate. And honestly, I sometimes prefer it this way. I'm very okay with loving from afar. It's safer, even if I don't get anything out of it other than the love itself. I need and crave the love, but it's a sad fact that most of the time, I don't need the people themselves. They often become a means to an end--the feeling is more important than the person.
And I don't know if this is normal. This seems backwards, actually.
But I suppose all I can do is take things one step at a time.