Removing Documents folder from iCloud Files

Years ago, I set up my MacBook Pro to backup my documents and all of the contents of my Pictures directory onto iCloud Drive. The problem is that this data has grown so large, it takes years to actually back this all up onto the iCloud. Especially since I've moved to a new computer recently.

That makes iCloud significantly less useful as a backup and generally it's a pain for it to be constantly uploading files in the background. At the upload rate from my ISP, this will take actual years to accomplish!

So, I would like to remove my "Documents" folder and my "Pictures" folder from the iCloud Drive. My issue is that some of the documentation I read says that this will cause the "Documents" and "Pictures" folders on my MAC TO BE DELETED TOO!

Horrors!

Is this true, or can I just delete these enormous directories from my iCloud Drive without consequence?

Thanks!