In “Toras Menachem” volume 7, p. 212-216, 223-225 Siman Alef (Hisvaadus Yat Kislev of the year 5713) the Lubavitcher Rebbe says one may not become a non-Chabad chassid. He likens regular Chassidus to following Beis Shamai after the halacha was decided in accordance with Beis Hillel.
So, if you respect the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s opinion, but cannot see your way clear to joining Chabad, it’s easy: don’t be Chassidic at all!
(Not sure the Mitteler Rebbe would agree, which is why Chabad didn’t publish one of his books (wherein he writes Chabad is a new path, unrelated to the Ba’al Shem Tov), but that’s for another time.)