compulsive hair touching

by Fate

I’m a girl who has always constantly and compulsively twirled/rubbed/played with my hair. It does cause issues with people assuming I’m vain/anxious/air-headed but all the advice I see is to pull it back or cut it short which is unthinkable to me. I’m obsessed with my long hair and how silky and soft it feels in my hands, on my face, rubbed against my lips. It’s not a sexual thing but I can’t keep my hands out of my hair?? Is this normal? Any advice for how to handle it without me having to sacrifice my 2 foot long virgin hair?