I really don't think this is the best option, ivalice. I really do understand. When I was younger (I'm older than dirt ), I'd feel confused and hurt when I'd finally speak up and let someone know that I needed a bit of support. Like you, I was usually open to whatever a person wanted or needed (I never say I was "always open" because life does sometimes gets in the way). But I often found that I was the one giving and when I'd finally speak up, no one was around! But then I realized something. I tended to offer myself up, getting my needs met by being the "good friend", the one people could ask anything of and I'd be there.

If people come to expect that, some people will use you. They are not being unkind or predatory. . . they are just people who tend to be more focused on their own needs. They seek out people like myself who is willing to get MY needs met by being the good and supportive friend. Unfortunately, that's not a two way friendship and when I'd make any type of request for reciprocal support and/or guidance, some of the friends would tire quickly or some never even engage. I needed to recognize my pattern of getting my needs met in a "co dependent" manner and the pattern of some friends who were more focused on getting their needs met to the exclusion of meeting the needs of others.

It didn't mean having to "cut" myself off from mankind. It just meant that if I made a friend who was more focused on his/her own needs, I needed to keep that friendship's boundaries well defined. I also needed to make sure that I wasn't slipping into my own co dependent behavior in the beginning of the relationship of rushing to always meet the other person's needs--I know now that I did that to endear the other person to me, to make sure they saw me as the "best friend EVER". Reality. . .no friend always meets the needs of the other person and I was setting myself up for disappointment . . . and disappointment for the other person. It wasn't a "real" adult friendship!

Good luck and don't give up!