Why do I keep doing this? Please share!

Don't stop caring please!!!! There are already too many cold people on this rock, we need you! I think maybe you just need to shift your focus a bit. Let your own self-respect and kind nature be your appreciation. I know it's hard because we are trained to expect some type of reward for a good deed, but that is just a condition of being human. Look past that, be kind just for the sake and beauty of being kind. Expect no reward and you won't be disappointed. You can be proud that you are one of a rare and dying breed that is needed more than ever in this world. {Nameste}

This just shows how amazing of a person you are. Making others happy is one of the best things you can do, and it makes you feel happy. If you do feel used though, don't stop caring and being kind and helpful, but maybe look for some other friends too, that will not make you feel used. You should also did discuss this with your friends and get their input.

Why do I keep trying to make people happy that dont deserve it?
This sounds a bit judgmental, the moment you start to point out who deserves to be happy, your whole helping attitude takes a different light.
Why do I keep trying to reach out to people who dont appreciate it? Its like I get to this point where I am almost feeling used because of how nice I am.
If you do something expecting some result/return, maybe you should take a step back and evaluate what exactly you are trying to do, if helping gratuitously or trying to achieve something. It's important to be able to let go when your help isn't welcomed, when you aren't allowed to fix everything with your amazing skills, like you think you can do, and letting go means not letting this tearing you inside and feel impotent and frustrated. There will always be someone you can help in a straight way, maybe do some volunteering around to take your mind off this through helping someone else who is welcoming of your help.

I have struggled with this myself and have found that it's not that they aren't WORTH the effort, that they don't DESERVE your help. More often than not,they are in denial about their situation (thus are not ready to hear what you have to say) or they weren't looking for advice to begin with, but just wanted to vent and have you console them. It just comes down to really determining if this person is in a place where they are really asking for help or if they are just looking to someone they trust to understand their point of view and not offer solutions. You also mention that you keep reaching out... Have you thought of waiting for someone to come to you? Then having that honest conversation of, "What is it that you're looking for?" Or if you want to keep reaching out, approaching it differently... "I have just noticed that you have seemed bummed/stressed/tired lately. Is everything okay?" A lot of that approach has to do with your word choice.

You're not technically being used if they never asked for your help or nag you for help in the first place. If you are freely giving your help then you don't really have the right to be upset for not receiving anything in return. Love is a gift. Sometimes when you empathize with others it hurts and in order to stop that hurt you want to do whatever you can to make that person happy just so that pain inside you will go away. It's weird but that's not really the loving thing to do because then it starts becoming about you and the pain you feel from them rather than about truly loving the person and respecting them enough to make their own choices, their own mistakes. I know it's hard sometimes but don't go into these things expecting anything and you will feel much lighter. Also know that you are not responsible for them making whatever mistakes they are making. All you can do is help them with what you've been given. Sometimes the best thing to do is just wait for an opportunity to help instead of dishing out unsolicited advice. It is better received that way I have found. Sure beats banging your head against a wall. I know how exhausting that feels. Good luck. And I'm glad you don't want to be cold. Keep being the "hot" person that you are.

There's only so much you can do, so much you can help. Do your part. Leave their part to them. Like eating for example, you can offer them food but it is up to them to take it. If they don't, forcing it down their throat will cause more pain to you and them.

There's only so much you can do. If they don't take your advice, accept them as they are. Try to think it this way - Instead of changing them to be happy, influence them with your positive energy. No one likes to be changed. If someone comes up to you and say stop being so positive, I think you wouldn't like it. Everyone has different perspectives and views. Influence them. Great change came by influence, not force. Wars resulted from force. Forcing will create more pain and negative energy. Let your positivity change them naturally.

On a side note, check this article out. "Happiness Is Exhausting" Lots of love. And definitely, please don't stop caring and loving. The world needs people like you. Spread the love

Well, you should only help others if you genuinely want to, especially in cases where the person you're helping hasn't asked you for help. The way it sounds, you think you want to help these people, but it seems to me that you actually don't or else you wouldn't wind up feeling used. The next time you feel compelled to help someone, I'd advise you to examine that feeling and try to determine rather it's genuine altruism that is compelling you to help them or just a sense of obligation.

Thanks everyone for all your input and advice! I had not thought of it ever being me asking for something in return because thats not why I reach out. I just care about other people. and I do want everyone to be happy. but your alls input has made me think more about it.. maybe I do in a small way expect some sort of gratitude or something, i dunno. I guess my whole point was that it is exhausting to still keep caring so much about other people and to be so empathetic about people who have proven in their actions that they don't deserve my kindness.