Yes Kers,
listening and trusting our instincts is very important, to a point! My instincts are usually based on protecting myself so I do not always make the right choices for myself.

I am no expert, I am just as most of us are, muddling our way through. However, letting go of a seven year friendship is a big loss.

I believe in the past I have dismissed comments & friendships from people who cared about me as I too viewed what they were saying as criticism-we can be defensive a lot of the time, eh! :-)
I have a theory concerning this. A lot of us are in a state of hypervigilance, so the body is in fight or flight mode, almost like a default setting. Therefore, I believe that we perceive the wolrd in quite a defensive manner, simply because we are always ready to fight/flight

Perhaps your friend believed that they were looking out for you? Perhaps, you took it as criticism because you feel under atttack, so when someone does provide you with an alternative or their view of a situation that challenges you and you perception of self, you are ready to fight?

I know this does not apply to everyone I just think it is a consideration that should be evaluated before making important life choices.

Sent with love, Spirit x