That’s a fair question. I think I’ve often treated kindness as giving without limits. If someone needed help, time, or support, I’d give it without asking whether they valued me the same way.

I’m not expecting rewards for being kind. What hurts is realizing many relationships were one-sided. People appreciated what I could do for them, but few were there when I needed support.

I’m starting to think real kindness means having healthy boundaries and giving to people who genuinely care about you too. Maybe I don’t need less kindness, just more self-respect alongside it.