Ahh, Unrealistic Expectations, how frustrating you are. I've been there. Heck, I'm often still there.

I think it's okay if you hold that image as an ideal, something to strive toward, while being realistic enough to realize it's never going to coincide with reality, except on rare and almost magical moments. And the importance of registering those moments and storing them away to treasure like jewels when the rest of life is just...everyday reality.

It's possibly disappointing, but it can be a relief to admit that life isn't actually achievable on a sustained basis.