Limiting the number of time-stealers one has a round themselves is wise, it's one of the worst uses of time to allow the the chance to impact one's life. Time spent on people we don't value should be limited or eradicated as you are doing.
You're on the right track and I'm not surprised.
Tell me, was it difficult to come to the understanding that people needed to be pushed aside and then to deploy that strategy?
If the criteria for my decision is: "People who are dear and important to me, who respect me, support me and care for me" (as I also care for them, respect them and love them), it is very easy to remove them, when I prove to myself (unfortunately, sometimes it takes more time and I experience a lot of disappointment) that they do not deserve my time or me.
Well, how many of them I "crossed out" in my imaginary notebook, so that I never hear from them again, my "great" friends, to whom I was good, only when they needed me.
I'm sorry that I spent the time of my life on such characters, but how else can I find out what someone thinks of me, than if, for example, I come to a situation where I need someone to return the favor.
And when I get 🍌, I return the same.
It sounds like you have a good handle on it so well done there!