You had a necessary step to go through as well. I've had to cut
   myself off emotionally a little from people and I didn't like
   it. I've been hit by a few sacks of pennies through the years
   and there's always that missing "something" - the gap that can't
   be crossed. yeah... even now, I've found myself getting wrapped
   up in somebody else's life more deeply than I realized. I was a
   part of their habit and they "needed me". Well of course that
   feels great.. at first... then it becomes a chore... and then...
   sometimes you have to do the hard thing. Leaves a hole.   Yeah -
   as a kid I was "inconsolable". Been working ever since to be
   caring and kind while retaining an emotional distance. In short,
   I care for the deeper person that's invisible but not for their
   day-to-day issues. I listen, I'm sympathetic but I try to stay
   rational and cool and not get caught up in their emotions.
   Empath. Hard being an empath.
   Not knowing all the details, it sounds like you're doing it
   right. We're all one bad situation away from rubber room, but if
   we can stay within the boundaries of sanity enough to function
   and even thrive, then it's a good thing. Yeah, I knew i
   couldn't. Had my Julliard opportunity at 10. Special lessons.
   After six months, and learning a little about the real life of a
   musician, ...plus the perfectionism required... I knew it wasn't
   for me. Thankfully my mother listened; she only did it 'cause
   her friends said she should. But had she been a different type,
   I would likely have gone through the whole Julliard thing and I
   have no idea how much I'd be drinking at this point. I never had
   the motivation. Still don't. Skill? Yeah. Talent? Out the ass.
   Do i want to play the same piece of music over and over and over
   again? No. I can't. I'd go mad with perfection.
   I can't explain how often I sometimes wish I could burn all the
   administrative offices of all the schools down, destroy all the
   records and give all the kids a chance for a fresh start.