When you're young, you're bound to get hurt. I mean. . that's how people mature anyway. I have this bad habit though. I like getting myself hurt. I like putting myself in situations that I know would hurt me in the end.  I push people away when I start to grow attached to them and regret it later on. I like hurting the people I love, but I end up being the one that wallows in the most pain by the end of the day. I don't enjoy pain. Not at all. It's just a bad habit that I can't seem to get rid of. How do I change this.

Sam

Hey Sam,

First, I believe maturity comes from experience and experience is not necessairly always painful. Just as you don't learn in school just by failing a test but also just by listening to a teacher, you're not going to mature 100% painfully as well. 

Second, I totally understand you. I also had a problem similar to you. Actually, I wouldn't even call it a problem. I  would call it natural. Personally, I have no idea how it started and I can't say that I have confidently ended it. I don't like it when people get close to me. I don't like it when people rely on me. I don't like things more than aquantices. Why? Because I know that relationships inevitably involve some sort of pain. But the key word is "involve". Pain is not the end, the last feeling you will definitely feel- it's just involved. It's the risk you take if you want someone close to you, someone you can rely on, trust, love. 

In the end, I can't really tell you what to do. All I can say is that nothing is wrong with you, but you can definitely change the things that you want if you work on it. When the time comes and another potential relationship comes your way (love or friendship) and you start to find yourself straying away from them on purpose and for nothing they really did, consider the happiness you could have. See if it's worth the pain you may feel. And if it is worth it, fight yourself. Though this sounds like bad advice, do what you feel uncomfortable with. Hang out with them, start over, think with a fresh mind. If you believe it isnt, know that you are definitely missing out. While you aren't necessarily making a mistake, you aren't taking the opportunities of happiness around you. 

Remember when I said maturity doesn't have to be painful? This is one of those times. Controlling your natural reflex to stay away from potentially painful relationships, may end up leaving you with a very positive and, well, happy result. 

These are one of those things where you really have to decide things for yourself because I'm not necessarily right, and your decision to stay away is not necessairly wrong (hell, I understand it 100%). 
Good Luck and I hope you are happy with your final decision in the end. (: