I absolutely agree with your post. I was hanging out on a message board for years... we had a bit of a fight at one point and I went back. I thought, maybe I am being crazy.. maybe I am in the wrong... but last year I realized.. no one here really cares about me. I am just their support mechanism. But my views are not respected. I am not allowed to talk bout what I think, but seem to be required to support them. I thought maybe that is all I can hope for.. but then I realized.. why was I taking ONE moment of my life doing that.

I left the board. I do go back and visit from time to time but never comment. Mostly people have left the board. Without people to support them there is little point. But there are still the people who cannot live without people supporting them that post long diatribes. I am glad I don't have to respond anymore.

Here is what I have done.
(1) I post on boards, like here, when the spirt moves me. But I try to make sure I am not getting into another cycle of support for someone else.
(2) I have taken up a few hobbies, such as working on my house or painting.
(3) I try to take the time I used with them to support me... cooking, financial planning etc.
(4) I try to watch tv shows / movies that make me happy.

But I try to stay away from anyone that looks to be a user.

I do wish there was like a manual on how to be happy and alone. I have seen some books but they have been mostly lame.