All of us experience this during our life. The difference between someone who is healthy and one who is not is the ability to learn from mistakes. A good questions is, do you continue to do favors for people who are obviously ungrateful or do you learn after the first time to hold back for your own mental health? I have done the former. In learning to respect and love myself, I now am able to say NO to things or to ask more questions before plunging in. An animal will usually not go back to it's abuser unless it has no other choice. Make options for yourself and decide you are worth it. What makes you desire that everyone approve of you? Are they really? Or are they using you because you're the only one who will bow down to them. Next time, provide them with options. " Oh mom, I'm so sorry but I can't help you with that (don't explain why. You're a grown-up and it's your business). I can't help at this time, but why don't you call this repairman, I hear he's good." Something like that. You don't have to people please to have a full life. So what if you say no? Will they dump you? Why are you afraid to have someone dump you? Are they truly a friend if they do that? If a family member disowns you because you don't want to fix their water heater for free, maybe they're a narcissist. You're not going to change them. You have to learn to take care of yourself FIRST. Do it once. Then never again if they brush you off or are abusive. Get some therapy to help you. I know it will help. Hugs.