It’s never easy to give more than you receive in return, but sometimes it feels like that’s all you ever do. Whether it’s your time, your energy, or your resources, it can be frustrating to feel like you’re constantly giving and getting nothing back.

So if you caught yourself thinking “I give so much and get nothing in return“, then you probably think that this has to change urgently. This is why in today’s article we guide you with a few steps that you should take when you notice that you’re giving a lot more than you receive back.

What to do when giving so much and getting nothing in return:

1- Don’t take it personal straight away:

It’s important to remember that not everyone is capable of giving as much as you are. And even if they are, they may have their own reasons for not doing so or they feel too emotionally drained and don’t have much to offer anyway, during this phase of their life.

So don’t get too discouraged if you don’t always feel like you’re not getting back what you put in. Just be ready to have an open conversation and be honest about your feelings to make things change for the better, which brings us to the next point.

2- Communicate openly and honestly:

It’s not uncommon to feel taken advantage of from time to time. Whether it’s at work, in a relationship, or with friends, there are always going to be people who seem to demand more from us than we’re able to give or than they’re able to give back. And while it’s important to be generous and understanding, there comes a point where we need to communicate our own needs more openly.

If this is happening to you in your relationship then check this article out later to learn to put your foot down with your partner without offending them or causing conflict. Otherwise, we can end up feeling used and resentful.

The next time you find yourself in this situation, try to have a conversation with the person in question. Let them know how you’re feeling and why you need them to back off a bit. It’s not easy, but it’s usually worth it to stand up for your own self in the long run.

3- Focus on your own motives for giving:

Instead of getting angry or resentful, try to think of the bigger picture. Why are you giving in the first place? If you’re doing it out of the goodness of your heart, then that’s in itself a good reward. And even if you’re not, remember that what goes around comes around and the people that don’t appreciate your efforts will find someone who doesn’t appreciate theirs.

In the end, the more you give, the more likely you are to receive back. So if you noticed that you spent your hard-earned money, precious time, or sweat and efforts on trying to make someone happier and more comfortable in vain, just stop. And, try to focus on how happy it made you.

So instead of feeling taken for granted, try to focus on the positive impact you’re having on the world and how rewarding it was for you to see your loved one happy.

4- Don’t give what you don’t want to give or when you don’t feel like it:

If you feel like you’re always giving and never receiving, it can be tempting to just stop giving altogether. But that’s not the answer.

The key is to find a balance between when you give and when to pull away, then when to wait and see if you receive anything back. So until then, make sure that your giving is in alignment with your values. That way, you’ll be more likely to feel good about what you’re doing, regardless of what you get in return.

Also set boundaries with the people you’re giving to. Explain what you’re comfortable with giving, and what you expect in return beforehand. This will help to avoid any feelings of resentment, confusion, or you waiting for a reward that will never come your way.

5- Give more to yourself than you will ever give to others:

Be mindful of your own needs as well. Make sure to schedule time for yourself, and do things that make you happy and that are fully only for your own enjoyment. That way, even if you don’t get anything in return for your giving, you’ll still be receiving love, self-care, and self-love from your own self first.

In the end, whatever it is that you give will only be a small portion of what you already gave and give to your own self. And, this way, not receiving back will not affect you in a bad way or get to you much.

You can check this article out right now to learn about why you should treat yourself nicely and with kindness, especially as these efforts will never go to waste because it’s for you! You can also check this out for reasons to literally love yourself more and do more for your own self rather than others! A healthy dose of selfishness can never do so much harm.