I'm so sorry you go through this. There are many people out there who take advantage of those who seem empathetic. They think that people like yourself are "always ok," so they can walk all over you. This has happened to me my entire life. You treat people they way you 'd like to be treated and they do not return the favor. Maybe all I can offer (besides a prayer for you) is that having fewer people in my life, limiting it to those whom I know I can trust, gets me hurt less often. I'm fortunate in that I am retired, so the nonsense I faced in the workplace is over. And I am only in touch at all with one or two relatives. Yeras ago I did a kind of experiment in which for one month I did not contact anyone. I wanted to see who contacted me. Those few people, I decided, were my real friends.

I'm so sorry. :( I wish I had words of wisdom for you, but I do like what Gladdmatt has to say. Big hugs. I'll keep you in my thoughts today.

I couldn't agree more with both of you. Another thing that I have learned from life experience is that, many times, I have had others in my life who were empathetic and giving in the same way I am but I never accepted their gifts or allowed them to be caring and empathetic towards me. I realized that some of my hurt was self-inflicted. Have you read Dr. Brene Brown's book titled "Daring Greatly"? If not, you might want to read it. I found it to be enlightening.

This is very much me. I give and give I care and I listen and I take time to think of others. In return I get used or ignored or abandoned.
I am learning that how I treat myself is a good indicator of how others treat me. In all that I give to others I ignore and abandon myself and my needs and wants.
Sounds like you really don't do anything wrong at all -- where others are concerned. Like I said I am learning that if I am completely selfless and giving it just encourages others to be selfish and I am attracted to takers.
Balance is my lesson, loving me first, taking care of me, treating myself like I would treat my best friend. Not giving all of it away. Asking for help (extremely hard to do especially with the people in my life who really don't want to give back at all and make me feel like a villain when I ask) But I am trying to be kinder to me and more realistic with them.
Not sure if any of that will help but I hope it does
Sending hugs

I'm sorry others don't see your worth or take into account your needs or desires. I think that selfish people will always be attracted to those that are selfless because they can take what they want from them. But I would say to you don't let others detract or take away the amazing selflessness in you. You are one of a kind its not very hard to be selfish but it is hard to be selfless and that is a special trait. The world should have more people like you in it stay strong and remind yourself that you are special and amazing and that you don't have to do anything that is harmful to you. Meaning your body, soul or spirit keep you healthy so that you can stay strong and stay being helpful to others.