The moth gets burned when it gets too close to the fire
A rambling (more of a rant) on setting boundaries and becoming more assertive.
Be careful when giving favors and getting too close with people who aren't family and friends (classmates, colleagues, teachers, bosses, business partners, investors, leaders, etc.).
Remember to set boundaries in those relationships and never allow your gestures to blur those lines. It is natural to try and please them to get to their good sides, but if it starts to cost you your time, finances, or sanity and well-being, DRAW THAT LINE.
You aren't and you shouldn't be a pushover: go back to what makes a student-teacher, associate-manager (etc) relationship and if your favors and sacrifices are already way beyond those terms, learn how to say NO.
Our culture (the Filipino culture) takes pride in resilience and hospitality which make it difficult for us to know what our boundaries are, while assertiveness is seen in the negative light.
DO NOT MISTAKE resilience as being patient with other people despite their ungratefulness; That's being a pushover.
DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND hospitality as sacrificing for the sake of peace; That's people-pleasing.
LEARN TO BE ASSERTIVE, and there's nothing wrong with being assertive. Assertiveness is knowing what you want and what you're comfortable with tolerating AND COMMUNICATING those to the other party. You're not being bossy, being tyrannical nor being selfish.
YOU ARE SETTING BOUNDARIES and are respecting yourself and making the other person know what's acceptable or not.
Learn to say NO, THIS NEEDS TO STOP, or ENOUGH OF THE (insert toxic behavior here). Be part of the dialogue and let the other person know what needs to change.
And if things go back to the same cycle even after you have already communicated your boundaries, be okay to LEAVE AND CUT THESE PEOPLE OFF of your life.
Toxic behavior that never gets fixed is not worth your sanity and well-being. Surround yourself with better people who only want the best for you, rather than people who keep using and depleting you.
At the end of the day, even the people whom you've helped and given favors for? They will forget you (or even stab you) when you're at your lowest. Yes, the world is filled with ungrateful people.
So surround yourself with family and friends who truly are happy when you're happy, and sad when you're sad.