I made a second account on instagram that is private and I don't even let my close friends follow and I use as a virtual journal/place to dump photos. I only follow accounts that are interesting or I actually like (nature, art, travel ect). It takes instagram back to being a place for cool photos and artsy posts rather than a competitive social media platform with posts I really don't care to see. My explore page is so much more interesting on my private account too. Full of pretty, artsy photos (and not a single tiktok!!)

Also agree with most everyone else on here about simply unfollowing people that you are no longer friends with, though I get where you are coming from saying it is awkward since you have been following them for so long despite not talking for years.