We have all been there; at one time or another, we have found ourselves in a friendship where we are always striving to go above and beyond because we only want the absolute best for our friends. While the other half seems to be barely returning any of our kindness. If you cannot relate to what I'm talking about, then consider yourself lucky.

Being the friend who always gives 110 percent to a friend who is hardly reciprocating 50 percent is the worst feeling in the world.

When you love and care deeply for a friend, you will always stretch to the best of your ability in order to be the greatest that you possibly can be for that person. When a friend is valuable to you, it is natural to want only the best for them. You know their value as a person and have enjoyed their influence in your life as your friend; therefore, you never want to lose them. You are genuinely thankful for them and would never want to even imagine what your life would be like without them.

Thus, it only makes sense that when you have an important friend in life, you will put yourself second to be sure that your friend is taken care of first. When a specific friendship is so worthwhile to you, then you will go to extreme measures in hopes of maintaining it.

There is a crucial question that arises from this situation: at what point have you allowed yourself to become too invested in a friendship where it is apparent that the other half is not giving to the same extent as you? Where should the line be drawn to consider yourself being taken advantage of versus selfish in expecting another human to treat you a certain way?

I am not here to say where that distinction should be made; personally, I am struggling to define those parameters myself.

It is so challenging to always put your best foot forward while the other half of the friendship is not demonstrating value preferences to the same extent that you are. One important factor to take into consideration is that every person is different; thus, every person shows their love and appreciation in a different manner. Just because somebody fails to hold you to the same high standard of treatment that you relentlessly uphold for them, does not mean you are worthy.

Furthermore, it is perfectly acceptable for you to feel varying levels of disappointment and sadness; after all, your heart aches after giving over and over and over again only to receive very little in return.

Never question your self-worth simply based on the fact that you are the friend who always gives 110 percent in a friendship.

As much as it may hurt, it is important that you realize there is nothing you can change about the situation; you give more than you get. It really speaks to your character when you are the friend always going above and beyond not expecting anything in return. However, there comes a time when you have to determine if your genuinely thoughtful actions are truly being focused to the right reciprocate.

Let's say your genuinely thoughtful actions are not being sent to the well-receiving, appreciative friend that you deserve, but in your heart, this person is still special to you; so, then what do you do?