This is definitely worth doing. But you can’t walk away angry or you don’t get the full benefits. You have to actually put it behind you. That is much harder.
What helped me is something I read (I will try to remember where and by who) that explained levels of relationships. If a relationship is critical to your life, then it’s worth staying around to discuss and work things out (assuming the other person is willing to do that and not just bicker). But if a relationship is casual and it’s bringing negativity of any kind into your life, just walk away.
I’m not advocating abandoning a friend when they are down. I’m talking about people that actively bring negativity into your life without any positive reason. In other words, a good friend may say something to you that hurts your feelings because they feel it is to your benefit to hear it. If you trust this person and know they care for you, stop yourself from getting upset and learn more about what they are saying so that you fully understand. It will be to your benefit, and your friend has put your friendship on the line, so it must be important in their eyes.
On the other hand, an acquaintenance or not so close friend starts ‘picking on you’ or you perceive it that way. Everything out of their mouth to you or about you is negative, walk away. It’s not even worth caring about their behavior and opinion. Those that care about you will ignore them; those that take up with them, aren’t your friends.
All very simple to write about, and very difficult to actually do, but after about four years of trying to adopt this philosophy I would say that I can (I think!) tell the difference and walk away without resentment when the situation merits it.
