Hey Karen, yes mind takes time, try to grasp meaning/understanding and even try to go back to old routine. But when consciousness happens, it takes over. The newness may cause some confusion but it slowly gets permanently imbibed.

For me peace, joy and bliss is always there. At times, waves of emotions may come and go. And again stillness become prominent.

Once you realize, you can't un-realize it. Once you are awake, you can't go back to sleep. The path is always forward or should I say deeper. :)