Is saying "I Love You" worth the baggage?

Due to being hurt in the past, I have come to a point in my life I have asked current lovers not to tell me they love me unless they really mean it, and I avoid using the phrase “I love you,” whether I feel like I love the person or not. I have observed that once that phrase starts being used, I begin to create expectations of the other person. Instead, I have started using phrases like “I really really like you,” or “I really appreciate you.” I have found that it is easier to avoid creating expectations using language like this. But, there’s a feeling of in-completion, or cut-off-ness that comes with avoiding the “L” word which is also somewhat painful. Do you think this is an appropriate way to guard one’s heart? Would it be better to use the word Love, and learn how to not pile the word with expectation and baggage(the more difficult path), OR is it better to love more freely, but not express it as such?