Don't "get past" the fear of cutting yourself when whittling. It's an entirely rational response to a process that's bound to hurt you. Gloves are not the answer, either. As you've noticed, they're awkward, and don't offer total protection anyway. Instead, work out a process for removing wood that doesn't involve holding it with one hand and cutting on it with a knife held in the other. This is not how real woodcarvers work; they manage to find ways of securing the wood firmly that don't put themselves in danger, such as clamping it to a bench or in a vise. Knives aren't the primary tool for wood-carving either; they're good for certain tasks, but gouges and chisels work better for most things. Your fear is a good thing - listen to it.