fionaw54 is right. Fixing old stuff taught you how things actually work. New gear just has you following steps on a screen.

But is it really that serious?

Empty returns are so frustrating, but your deposit rule is a smart fix.

The soft toothbrush idea is smart... my uncle did the wire brush thing too and it just made me sad for the lost detail.

What helps you shake it off, @tarah73? When I get that awful sinking feeling, I literally have to stop and take three deep breaths. Sometimes I'll go make a cup of tea just to change the scenery for a minute. It sounds silly, but moving my body for a second can stop the bad thought loop. Little resets like that stop me from spiraling.