From the above, I do not see a problem. If you do not like the type or quality of your friends, that's your choice. However, if you are thinking by "type", want to be friends with lawyer's wives and you use to be friends with people in jail, for example :-) that's not going to work either?

If you feel you are doing a lot for people and they are not returning the favor, that you are "sidelined" by people, then I would question your idea of friendship. Friendship is not a trade, you don't do things for friends and they do things for you; you enjoy friends. They don't "need" you, they want you; you cannot buy them by doing things for them, hope they'll "let" you be their friend; those aren't friends!

What do you really enjoy doing? Go where other people do that and make friends there. If you like to sing, join a chorus, for example and you will be around other people who like what you like. People who chase after others whom you or I might deem "shallow" are shallow themselves? Otherwise, they would not "like" that kind of person. People who drink are going to meet others in bars, for example. If you would like to hang out with a group only without the drinking, you can't get that by trying to find it at a bar.

I like to read, write, and study so you might find me in a college classroom, a library (local Friends of the Library officer, thank you very much; made two of my best friends there), or in an online writing group that also meets face-to-face. I study a particular subject so have hired an expert in the field to help me who, over time, has become a friend.

If you care for your mother, join a local care/support group of other carers. Volunteer a few hours someplace for an interest of yours and meet like-minded people there.