As I wrote this, I doubted that these experiences or that similar experiences were unique to me. I think it's just part of the psychological struggles that come with certain changes, particularly those changes that come with unpleasant life changes.

But I never clarified what brought this on. This topic came up, as it usually does, and in my usual manner, I joked about it.

I think it was along the lines of, "Sure, my life has changed a bit, but thanks to the magic of denial I'm still the same person that I was before it started."