For those who are empathetic and giving, how do you set boundaries so people don’t walk over you?

I’m 26F, and lately I feel like people have just been walking all over me. I can’t figure out if it’s something about me or just them. I’ve always been a giver — I think a lot, I’m very empathetic, and I naturally make my friends a big priority in my life. But recently, many of them have shown a very different side.

It feels like I hold little to no importance in their lives, even though I’ve always gone out of my way for them. And when it’s time for them to show up for me, they don’t. It really hurts, and I’m struggling to deal with it.

Has anyone else been through something similar? How do you set boundaries or cope with friendships where the effort isn’t mutual?