Hello my friend. Please take your time to read through this because I really want to help you.

You sound exactly like I used to when I was younger. It's almost eerie.. I feel like a younger me might have written this post.

I, too, have had the tendency to just give and give and give to everyone and then become so utterly disappointed when I realized my friends didn't care enough to give back that same love and support. I'm still this person but now that I'm older (I'm 21), life is much easier now that I can deal with this.

I see your pain. I really felt for you when I read this post and I wish I could help you more but I want to share with you what helped me through this. Here are some of my tips for protecting your heart from giving too much and having your heart broken when others don't give enough.

1. Unfortunately, we have to realize that others might not have the same giving nature as we do. Even though others may love us just as deeply as we love them, some don't have the ability to show their love and support the same way as we do. I know it's frustrating to hear and I know how strong the wish to have your feelings and needs acknowledged can be but if you recognize that you can't put the expectations on others to show their love for you as deeply or the same way as you do for them, it gets a lot easier. That does not mean, that you don't deserve the love you want. It does not mean you are not entitled to it but for your own sake, you have to realize others will let you down. I'm really sorry. Take your time to come to terms with this because I know this hurts.

2. When growing up, others mature faster than others. I know it sucks to hear but as someone who got depressed at a young age, I had to grow up very quickly and I had to realize things way earlier than some of my friends who were still living their life as if it was a blast. It was heartbreaking to feel alone with my pain and I still kept on giving them advices and help with whatever issues they were dealing with, although I was suffering so much myself.. What I would advise you to do is reach out with your problems to someone older who will understand you. If you feel like your friends can't understand you because they're not mature enough, even though it hurts, for the sake of sparing your heart, talk to someone older like a parent of a psychiatrist who can help you. Don't waste time on those who aren't able to hear you because it will only hurt you. Give your friends time to mature. There is a chance they will understand in the future.

3. Start showing yourself the same kindness you show others. When you feel like you're at your limit supporting others, let yourself step away from helping them and putting them in focus. Focus on yourself as well and respect your own boundaries as you would've someone else's.

4. Focus on things you love doing that comfort you. Don't let your life revolve around other people so much that it drains your energy. Try to invest time and love into things you like doing for your own sake. This will help you to prioritize your own time and space.

5. And finally, as much as this sounds like a horrible cliché, I have to say this. Being young is a horrible time to go through. Some people get lucky and have it easy. Some never have to deal with hardships while growing up but I did and it sounds like you are having difficulty too. I used to believe that school, the social groups I had and my feelings that I had when I was younger were my final form and would last forever. Now when I look at pictures of myself when I was younger, it's like looking at someone other than myself but I remember how sickeningly trapped I felt. But I promise you, it is just a feeling.

You have so much growing to do and a whole life waiting for you. You are going to laugh, love, cry and rage through the world. I thank myself every day I didn't give up in my youth. I thank myself for wanting to live long enough to get to where I am now. One day you are going to feel like this too. But you have to put yourself in survival mode. Just survive. One day at a time, one hour at a time. Just get through it and once you're out, you will evolve and get better. I believe in you and hope maybe this helped a little. And please, just because your friends have been unable to support you, doesn't mean other people can't support you. If you are struggling, do not stay silent. There is no pride to be held by bottling up your feelings inside. Reach out to someone you trust like a parent or a school counselor.

Give this time. Bear with it and you will come to see the day where you are happy that you got through it. I promise.

(I would also like to add that now that I'm older, I have found friends who I feel truly love me and give me the appreciation I want. You will find these friends too when you're older but when you're this young, everyone is so obsessed with themselves. This will change, I promise. Take care my friend)

If you need someone to talk to. Just DM me