And, yes, I'm 18, MonkeyGrass. I suppose life is still to come, but I've learned in a few situations that people don't change much in the coming years. I've picked a handful of close friends, but all except about one or two give me materials in return for what I've doen for them, which I don't give a damn about these days.
I yearn for affection!
See, I think this is my *favorite* part about being an INFJ. We tend to age well inside, like wine.
If you can learn to hone your skills for self-insight, you'll start to see your own patterns, and gain the ability to learn from them and predict how a relationship will play out in the future. And that, m'boy, is a very helpful skill.
You'll learn which people you can help, and which people have a hole in their bucket. You'll be able to differentiate between a "give-give" relationship, and someone who sucks the life out of you in every way. I won't lie; it's a rough road. But it's doable. You start to learn self-preservation, and how to identify people who are willing to value you and pour into you some of the time too, and that's totally essential for survival.
Here's a logical thought to hang your hat on: if you allow yourself to be completely sapped by people who are profoundly broken, you won't have the energy to help those who can be truly helped. What's the use of having a resource/ability, if you're wasting on those
who aren't going to change or listen? Much better to be a little "selfish" and discriminating, because you're going to make a bigger impact on the world in the long run.