Yes to a degree

Oh Hell Yes! Not sure about the second part.

Relationships have cost me so much, I am too old to risk again. I am autistic, my emotional pain is within limits.

You have to go for love when you have the chance.

Not prevented, but certainly daunted at points.

I always love and lose, it’s what I do

I now am playing it safe.. My heart and emotions are well guarded... I made him my world, which that in itself was a mistake. I don't think I could once again go through that kind of devastation. It's going to take a very special and patient kind of person to penetrate the hard exterior that I've built up around me. One day perhaps, someone will have the ability to see thru that wall and recognize the diamond standing before them.

This question is very topical for me right now, as my husband and I have separated just this past weekend. I find myself already thinking that I just don't ever want to expose myself to this level of pain again. I haven't even fully grieved the death of this marriage and I'm already mentally avoiding relationships that aren't even potentialites yet.

It did for me. I spent a very long time avoiding intimate relationships for fear of getting hurt, thinking I was safe. But I lost a whole lot more by living like that. Now I would be more than happy to risk getting my heart broken, because it meant I took a risk to love deeply.

As i get older and older, I find all my previous emotional pain has fertilized my mind well. I can now cultivate faster than the average cultivator. I have enough shit to cultivate me for ever.

there is always a time to show your brass balls.

There is always that risk of getting emotional hurt again.. but if you don't take the chance, you will never know and that can be even more devestating.

I have never played it safe. My friends and family thought I was nuts to fly out west to meet a stranger from this site. It didn't work out, but that's ok. Talking to new people here. May be doing it again someday.

Is it fear of emotional pain or fear of drama?
I don't do drama.
I'm a no drama momma?
IMO, drama can be CREATED by choices one makes outside of accidents.
Created drama, can be avoided based on WHO one choses to have in their life.
If they CHOOSE a black swirling vortex of chaos, they should expect a life as such. (Drama addicts)

Since I was very young--and throughout my life--people have taught me they are hot stoves. I learned very early not to touch.

Probably most people, but some simply pester and pester until they finally succeed. Having succeeded they seem to lose interest, since there is no longer a challenge.

Absolutely. Twice have I found myself essentially abandoned in this way, and after the second I stop caring to try. I can't say this better to not have at all, the experience has it's positive aspects, but given the impermanence of it all, I don't see reason to keep subjecting myself to the trials. It's a lot of work to put in to just have it all taken away at some point later.

Has it prevented anyone in general? Yes, of course.

Speaking for myself however: yes, it definitely has/does.