If the person is negative I walk away. I don't argue, I don't fight. I don't like that. I just stay away from those people who do me wrong and have done me wrong on many occasions.
In the case of this so-called friend it hurt me, because I thought she was my friend and she knew about my love for cats. She didn't care. So she didn't love me.
But I got over it and I moved forward, always forward and strengthened!
People change I guess, for many reasons too...They also drift into and out of our spheres and that's ok. I guess we need to be true to ourselves, and they them, so I'm not to fussed. I'm really good at drawing a line beneath a person and moving on without any more thought invested. I've learned to do that over the years and it helps me have a happier life.
As they say in my country, clean slate... move on.
I used to have a harder time doing that when I was a teenager or younger.... no longer
I think people struggle to do it when young as they're seeking acceptance or validation maybe. When we get a little older, and grow into self-acceptance and self-confidence it's easier.
You said it well and so it is. Life makes us learn.