Is it normal to consider how a breakup with a friend will affect them?

My friend has a lot of positive qualities and I care very much about her. We have shared some really amazing memories. But she has many problems and it makes her difficult to be around sometimes. She is very melodramatic, seeking attention from people constantly and lashes out at those who don't give it to her on demand. She is too toxic for me to have as a friend and I have ended my friendship with her.

Because I cared about her, I wanted to give her an explanation, to tell her why I didn't think we could be friends anymore. I didn't want to tell her to F-off or wait until we had a fight in order to end it. Going that route didn't seem fair and I didn't want to hurt her or leave her questioning herself about her personality and ability to be a good friend. Instead, I told her how much I appreciated our experiences together and how wonderful I thought she was, then I said I needed some time apart from her. The reason I gave her was that I needed more quiet energy in my everyday life and, even though her high-energy personality was a positive quality, it was not something I could cope with at the time. She was sad, but we hugged and said our goodbyes.

Some of my other friends have told me I went to too much trouble, that they would have just walked away and avoided her until she got the hint. I don't think I could do that to anybody I've considered a friend. I hope I'm not the only one.