I'm in agreement with "moreconfusedthanever"; it's part of the package deal we get for "fading". May feel like we're getting sloppy seconds (not their full attention), or as a recent fader said to me, like a girlfriend who'll only see you at the weekends lol.
Before any hasty decisions are made you have to weigh up whether it's worth cutting the "umbilical cord", or perhaps there's a way around it? As much as it's not ideal (i.e. the relationship between a JW and an ex JW), it's still a connection that's hard to replace, especially when it comes to long time friends or family. It's not impossible, just difficult and may take years before you truly bond with another person, depending on your personality.
Of course, it's totally your call and you know the situation better than anyone here. Just speaking from personal experience - I, like yourself got to the end of my tether at one point and pretty much cut off all ties from friends in the kingdom hall (except one). However, in hindsight I know now that it didn't have to be that way, and the loneliness felt could have been prevented. Long story short, I have my own gym and let the brothers use it, although eventually I started to feel taken for granted (which lead to all sorts of brooding/self pity lol, much of which I blamed on the religion) so told them all to stop coming. That kind of threw a spanner in the works (fobbed them off a lot) and eventually they got the message and stopped making the effort.
It's definitely hard when you know for sure that you're the victim in all this, been nice/understanding yet still getting gossiped about. In this regard though, it's only preparatory for life in general so you don't necessarily have to see it as a negative thing. It happens to various degrees in all walks of life. It'll be old news sooner or later, and I've found that riding the storm will keep your sanity and help to keep things in perspective. You'll accept it as part of life, and understand that no matter what you do you'll be gossiped about (either because their life is so sad, out of jealousy, or both). You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. If you "sin" you'll be talked about. If you're successfully people will resent you. Eventually, gossip often comes round to bite the gossiper in the *ss (and sometimes the willing listener too); it negatively affects those involved (e.g. you label that person as untrustworthy), not just the person being spoken about.
Just got to rise above it all, and express yourself to those who understand. The ex JW community have been through it all and can totally relate.
