Normalize letting people go. There are just people you love but all they bring is chaos to your heart and mind. You just got to tell them, I love you and I will always do, but we're no longer walking on the same path. I'm not even asking you to change. I don't want you to change.
You cannot control people’s perceptions of you. The best you can do is show up in true character being impeccable with your word and intentional in your actions. If someone wants to see you as negative or difficult they will search for ways to affirm their perceptions.