One thing you need to understand about people is that no matter the way they respect and praise you, it is just because of what they are benefiting from you, so put that in the back of your mind any day that whatever benefits from you finish, they will definitely leave you. That is why you should always do the best you can for them, because even though you will kill yourself for some people, they will still not see it. There is a saying that says, “Make someone smile, but don’t forget that you are also someone,” so anytime you are trying to help someone, it should be limited so that you will not come and regret helping them.
That is the main reason why many people don't like wasting their effort on others, and most of the time we usually view it like those that don't like helping are the wicked ones, but that is not how it is they also have their own reasons for believing that anything you see in life has its own reasons.
I completely agree with you on this. Helping others should be limited in my opinion too, because few people will truly be able to appreciate your efforts no matter how hard you try. People are dynamic, once they are no longer getting anything from you, they will stop praising you and stop talking about you because they realise what you are giving them isn't there anymore. For this reason, you should put your family first in everything you do. Even if life gets difficult, they will be the people you turn to, though I know that family members also have problems of their own, but no matter what, not everyone will turn back to you. We should remember that life is not forever guarantee, because family is what we will leave our children with when we pass away.
Let me share with you the scenario of a man I know in my area i learned from his story. He is a banker, and anytime you visit his home, you will notice that he has changed many people's lives through his kindness. However, he has problems to find time for his family, including his own mother. You know banks with their problems. The man lost his job later, and as a result, no one continued to come to his house because they were no longer benefiting from him. the man suffered a stroke, and the only people who stood by him were his family members, Which made me wonder how ashamed he would feel for what he did, and I believe that would cause him to go into a deep desperation.
As you just said, helping people right now should be limited to prevent regrets.