I'm the same way - self-inserts were never really my thing. It's too much like creating an OC, which is 1) much harder than canon characters and 2) imo OCs are best when they specifically complement some aspect of canon, and I've never seen an obvious need for me-as-character to do that. OTOH, I can put myself in characters' shoes to the extent of writing in first-person from their POV (or occasionally, a very long time ago, in RP).