I have almost 500 now...

agree on the first idea - combine the two if you have time. good luck

Try thinking of it in plant terms (are you a plant person?). Occasionally, things just get out of hand, stuff grows too tall and leggy, weird scabrous leisions appear on otherwise healthy branches, leaves wither and die. A good solid 'cut it all back' pruning is in order.

Kinda like you do with roses, or thyme, or 9-Bark. Cut the bejesus out of it all, retaining only the most promising leaders and buds. And even if you cut it all back severely, so long as the roots are healthy (and you now where they are and they aren't), the rest will all come back twice as strong as it previously looked.

A fair warning is always in order. of course ... I always warn my Thyme and Sage, etc., I am going to do a major pruning several days in advance. If they understand me at all (and they might - who knows what vegetable thoughts move through my herbs), they will know it's time to store up some energy, then look to the new opportunities for climbing back into the light (as it were). A fair warning to those most intersted in having you respond to something in particular might help you decide which branch(es) to retain and which to clip.

Not the best metaphor, maybe, but one which has stood me well for many years.

Prune with vigour and confidence, and you might be surprised how well some stuff comes back, and how quickly.

Best,
Russell

I think you should do a combination. Make a journal , thanking everyone, but randomly breeze through a bunch of the people and check them out... you never know, you might find some really interesting people that way.