How does one stop hoping for "better" when that may all be in the past?

Any resources would be appreciated.

Many times in my life I was dissatisfied with what I had because it was less than others around me had. But I always assumed things would get better for me. Generally this did not happen. Generally things only got worse. And I would think to myself- I shouldn't have wasted so much time wanted better when things were already better back then than they are for me now.

I try to give myself hope for the future so that I can have a purpose, BUT hoping for a better future that is unlikely to happen has it's downsides. How does one stay present without presently realizing they are alone and have no support system and are unlikely to leave their bad living environment?