I spent the last 10 years cultivating the wrong friendships. How do I process this and move on?

I (34F) recently had to cut ties with my best friend of over 13 years because her mental health struggles led her to be emotionally and verbally abusive, and she refused to hear me out or get help. I also cut off another incredibly close friend of 10+ years, because he cheated on my childhood friend and I'm absolutely disgusted with him.

We were all part of the same core friend group, and slowly over time I've realized this group of friends just isn't it for me. They like to judge people, are incredibly negative, and are incredibly absorbed in their own lives they barely show up in a way that I can feel a genuine connection with them. I always show up when they are having a hard time, check in on them, show genuine interest in their hobbies/interests and try to cheerlead... but I also don't feel like it's reciprocated to the same degree.

I opted to stop talking to this friend group for a set period of time and so far my mental health has significantly improved. I don't feel left out or ignored anymore, and I definitely don't feel weighed down by the problems they share or the gossip that blooms.

I have other friends, but everyone is drowning in their own problems. I'm constantly listening to them vent, offering advice, or offering help - but I just don't receive the same in return either. I also am learning that a surprising large number of them are either problematic (Transphobic, pick me's, etc.) or bystanders (people who will never speak up or stand up for others if they see them being mistreated, they hyper focus on self preservation). All of which goes against my own values.

I'm already struggling with losing my best friend, who was my soulmate and the one person who understood me best. It's an additional blow to realize the remaining friends I have are people I don't feel I can depend on to show up or build a community with.

What do I do? How do I move on? I'm already dealing with anxiety and depression, and I know the general advice is to get into hobbies and volunteering to meet like minded people but I just don't have the confidence that I will connect with good people anymore.

Posted Apr 6, 2026, 1:11 AM UTC

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