Do you ever feel like

[Kaga]

Maybe having friends just isn't worth the emotional investment?

Like, you have friends that you've known for a long time and shared some good times with, but then they go through a rough patch in life, and at first you want to help them but, after a while, you've suffered so much for their sake that you just wanna cut yourself off?

Have you ever felt like you might be happier if you just didn't have any friends in the first place - so there'd be no one you'd have to worry about, and you can just focus on what makes yourself happy?

Have you ever almost felt like abandoning the friends you care the most about because you care about them the most, and they hurt too much to be around?

And if so, is that selfish? Is it wrong to even think like that?

[Dervish]

Cutting ties with dead weight? Sure. People change and if you are seriously dealing with more drama than enjoying their company, then maybe it's time to move on. Doesn't have to be dramatic, just a shift in who you devote your time to.

Cutting off every single person you know? Not so much. Just remember who your real friends are, or the people who you've always gotten on just fine with and focus on them. Case in point, out of all the friends I still maintain ties with from back home, most of them are people I've known for ages (like, grade school ages).

It's not wrong or selfish. It's life. Sometimes, you discover you're trying to maintain something based entirely off of nostalgia and nothing more, and that's kind of where problems stem from.

[Barioth]

Pretty much what Dervish said. Some people just become toxic, and you have to make sure to keep them at a safe distance or quarantine their toxicity completely so they can't hurt you with it too, no matter how close to them you are.

I myself have felt like isolating myself at times too, but the thought of regret after I've cut all ties has kept me away from the entire idea completely. I'm sure without knowing that I will be undoubtedly lonely if I push away my friends.

It's not selfish, if whoever is causing you grief is just too much to handle, stiff arm them a bit. Don't take anyone for who they used to be, take them for who they are at the time and who they will be and make your decision off of that.