Interesting reflections. I have many of the people you describe in my broader circles and I can understand your point of view.

For a long time, like you I tried to fix things for people, give good advice etc. but these days I just listen. That's what they often want is just a friendly ear so they can verbalise their thoughts. For some that alone helps and you just need to listen emphatically to help them along. Listening is a real skill and in this modern world of distractions, it is an ever shrinking skill people have, not to say you don't have it, but you know what I mean.

I need to actively work on that though, as my engineering mind always wants to fix things, I'm good at that, but I try to hold fire and just listen unless some says the magic words "what would you do?" Or "Have you any advise" and then my inate fixer mode kicks in.

Just my sixpence worth my friend.