History Main / CantStayNormal

* hikikomori's and internet addicts can have a lot of difficulties with moving forward from their way of life. They are used to having their fantasies and pleasures tailored for them and seeing characters that are idealised versions of people, whether they are people that they have already met or they are the embodiment of who they want to meet. They can have difficulty building romantic relationships because they fear rejection or they fear the responsibilities. Responsibilities meaning that they fear that they are not being committed enough to the relationship or they have built a bad image of a relationship in their head. Such as believing that they will be [[HenpeckedHusband bossed around by their spouse]], They could have been involved in [[DomesticAbuse an abusive relationship]] with their ex-lover causing them to fear that it will repeat itself. In some cases, they could be [[BrokenBird believing that they are unworthy of love]] due to a [[TheUnfairSex bad history with men and or women]]. It's not impossible to readjust from this lifestyle but it isn't as simple as you'd think, they need to be reminded that reality isn't as pessimistic or as complicated than they think it is or they need to see the benefits of a real relationship.

* This can apply to real life as far as military life goes. Many soldiers can attest that the discipline and stress that the military puts them through forces them into a state of mind where civilian life is nowhere near as exciting as combat and the tradition found in command or they simply can't psychologically adapt themselves back into a civilian lifestyle. This can often end in tragedy but for some the military lifestyle can be fulfilling.

* Professional fighters live their lives based on adrenaline. Some former fighters (professional or hobbyist) can feel dissatisfied and directionless for leaving that lifestyle behind because it gave them fame, pride, wealth, purpose or joy. Whether it be for having a CareerEndingInjury or becoming a ReluctantWarrior because they feared their abilities. While the fighter could of retired, it is still a difficult lifestyle to readjust from because they can feel bored or purposeless.
* hikikomori's and internet addicts can have alot of difficulty adjusting from their way of life. They are used to having their fantasies and pleasures tailored for them and seeing characters that are idealised versions of people, whether they are people that they have already met or they are the embodiment of who they want to meet. They can have difficulty building romantic relationships because they fear rejection or they fear the responsibilities. Responsibilities meaning that they fear that they are not being committed enough to the relationship or they have built a bad image of a relationship in their head. Such as believing that they will be [[HenpeckedHusband bossed around by their spouse]], They could of been involved in [[DomesticAbuse an abusive relationship]] with their ex-lover causing them to fear that it will repeat itself. In some some cases, they could be [[BrokenBird believing that they are unworthy of love]] due to a [[TheUnfairSex bad history with men and or women]]. It's not impossible to readjust from this lifestyle but it isn't as simple as you'd think, they need to be reminded that reality isn't as pessimistic or as complicated than they think it is or they need to see the benefits of a real relationship.

** Later in the series, this also affect Hotaru, who had been reverted to a powerless infant at the end of ''Sailor Moon S'' so she and her father could have a second chance at life (or just herself in the manga, since [[SchrodingersCat her dad died at the end of the plot in the manga]]). Both the anime and the [[Manga/SailorMoon manga]] show circumstances requiring her to age up and regain her powers as Saturn. Unlike Usagi, she doesn't seem particularly bothered by it.

* Danny manages to turn himself back to normal in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' during the GrandFinale, to protect his loved ones (and because another team of ghost hunters are doing his job better then he is). At first, he enjoys having his normal life back and not having to worry about the pressures he was under as a hero until Sam [[WhatTheHellHero got on him for giving up the rare opportunity to do good]] (and secretly missed Danny's ghost identity), which makes him start regretting his choice and eventually realizes he doesn't like his now-normal life. That plus a giant asteroid heads to Earth, capable of destroying it. With the aid of his enemies, Danny gets his powers back and saves the day.

* Marco Diaz runs into this problem in mid season 3 in ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil''. He's done so much with his friend from another dimension, the titular princess Star Butterfly, that after an epic struggle where they stopped the monster Toffee, and [[spoiler: getting a cape as an award]], he's unable to let go of that accomplishment. Locked into survival and honor mode, this makes it hard for him to interact normally with others back on earth. In the end, his 3 month [[spoiler: girlfriend Jackie Lynn Thomas]] realizes that he doesn't belong on earth anymore, and thus [[spoiler: has to break up with him]] in order for him to find a way to be truly happy. As such, he gets an excuse to "exchange" with Mewni (Star's home) in order to get back to his rush.

* hikikomori's and internet addicts can have alot of difficulty adjusting from their way of life. They are used to having their fantasies and pleasures tailored for them and seeing characters that are idealised versions of people, whether they are people that they have already met or they are the embodiment of who they want to meet. They can have difficulty building romantic relationships because they fear rejection or they fear the responsibilities. Responsibilities meaning that they fear that they are not being committed enough to the relationship or they have built a bad image of a relationship in their head. Such as believing that they will be [[HenpeckedHusband bossed around by their spouse]], They could of been involved in an [[DomesticAbuse an abusive relationship]] with their ex-lover causing them to fear that it will repeat itself. In some some cases, they could be [[BrokenBird believing that they are unworthy of love]] due to a [[TheUnfairSex bad history with men and or women]]. It's not impossible to readjust from this lifestyle but it isn't as simple as you'd think, they need to be reminded that reality isn't as pessimistic or as complicated than they think it is or they need to see the benefits of a real relationship.

* hikikomori's and internet addicts can have alot of difficulty adjusting from their way of life. They are used to having their fantasies and pleasures tailored for them and seeing characters that are idealised versions of people, whether they are people that they have already met or they are the embodiment of who they want to meet. They can have difficulty building romantic relationships because they fear rejection or they fear the responsibilities. Responsibilities meaning that they fear that they are not being committed enough to the relationship or they have built a bad image of a relationship in their head. Such as believing that they will be [[HenpeckedHusband bossed around by their spouse]], They could of been involved in an [[DomesticAbuse an abusive relationship]] with their ex-lover causing them to fear that it will repeat itself. In some some cases, they could be [[BrokenBird believing that they are unworthy of love]] due to a [[TheUnfairSex bad history with men and or women]]). It's not impossible to readjust from this lifestyle but it isn't as simple as you'd think, they need to be reminded that reality isn't as pessimistic or as complicated than they think it is or they need to see the benefits of a real relationship.

* hikikomori's and internet addicts can have alot of difficulty adjusting from their way of life. They are used to having their fantasies and pleasures tailored for them and seeing characters that are idealised versions of people, whether they are people that they have already met or they are the embodiment of who they want to meet. They can have difficulty building romantic relationships because they fear rejection or they fear the responsibilities, responsibilities meaning that they fear that they are not being committed enough to the relationship or they have built a bad image of a relationship in their head (i.e believing that they will be [[HenpeckedHusband bossed around by their spouse]], They could of been involved in an [[DomesticAbuse an abusive relationship with either their parent or lover causing them to fear that it will repeat itself]]. Or even [[BrokenBird believing that they are unworthy of love due to a bad history with men and or women]]). It's not impossible to readjust from this lifestyle but it isn't as simple as you'd think, they need to be reminded that reality isn't as pessimistic or as complicated than they think it is or they need to see the benefits of a real relationship.

* In the Literature/DoctorWhoNewAdventures novel ''Human Nature'' (by Paul Cornell), the Seventh Doctor transforms himself into a human and allows his mind to be wiped temporarily. He prepares a list of emergency protocols -- but it doesn't occur to him that he may fall in love, get engaged, and would never want to leave again. Also made into an episode for the TV show ''Series/DoctorWho'' (see below).

* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' double episode "Human Nature" / "The Family of Blood" (by Paul Cornell), the Tenth Doctor transforms himself into a human (which involves a lot of hideous pain and screaming in absolute agony) and allows his mind to be wiped temporarily. He prepares a list of emergency protocols -- but it doesn't occur to him that he may fall in love and never want to leave again. Becoming his old self again is, for all intents and purposes, suicide. Adapted from a Literature/DoctorWhoNewAdventures novel that used the Seventh Doctor (see above).

* At the beginning of the second American film, ''Film/{{Guyver}}: Dark Hero'', the hero finds he can't stop fighting or run away due to the Guyver urging him from within and taking over his body.

* hikikomori's and internet addicts can have alot of difficulty adjusting from their way of life. They are used to having their fantasies and pleasures tailored for them and seeing characters that are idealised versions of people, whether they are people that they have already met or they are the embodiment of who they want to meet. They can have difficulty building romantic relationships because they fear rejection or they fear the responsibilities, responsibilities meaning that they fear that they are not being committed enough to the relationship or they have built a bad image of a relationship in their head. It's not impossible to readjust from this lifestyle but it isn't as simple as you'd think because they need to be reminded that reality isn't as complicated as they think it is or they need to see the benefits of real relationships.

* Professional fighters live their lives based on adrenaline. Some former fighters (professional or hobbyist) can feel dissatisfied and directionless for leaving that lifestyle behind because it gave them fame, pride, wealth, purpose or joy. Whether it be for having a CareerEndingInjury, becoming a ReluctantWarrior or simply because they had to retire, it is still a difficult lifestyle to readjust from.

* Danny manages to turn himself back to normal in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' during the GrandFinale, choosing to do so to protect his loved ones (and because another team of Ghost Hunters are doing his job better then he is). At first, he enjoys having his normal life back and not have to worry about the pressures he was under as a hero until Sam [[WhatTheHellHero got on him for giving up the rare opportunity to do good]] (also she secretly misses Danny's ghost identity), which makes him start regretting his choice and eventually realizes he doesn't like the normal route. That plus a giant asteroid heads to Earth, capable of destroying it. With the aid of his enemies, Danny gets his powers back and saves the day.

* In the first season finale of ''WesternAnimation/TheMummy'', Alex finally gets the Manacle of Osiris off, only to have to put it back on to save Artif Bay and ends up destroying the scrolls that could remove it to prevent them from falling into Imhotep's hands.

* [[Franchise/TheFlash Wally West]]'s ex-girlfriend, Frances Kane, who had magnetic powers, wanted to be normal and decided not to use her powers ever again. Cue a bomb being activated and her powers being the only that could save everyone. Unfortunately, since using her powers also causes her to revert to a [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity psychotically evil]] [[SuperpoweredEvilSide mentality]] (which, come to think of it, explains wanting to be normal), this was also a case of ChronicVillainy.

* At the start of the New Power saga of ''ComicBook/{{WITCH}}'' the titular heroines are {{Depowered}} to make space for the titular power up, and Cornelia, not knowing what's happening, [[IJustWantToBeNormal is really happy of having the chance at a normal life]]. She is downright furious when she gets the power up, and only stays because she's responsible enough to use her powers for good now that she has them again.

* [[TheFlash Wally West]]'s ex-girlfriend, Frances Kane, who had magnetic powers, wanted to be normal and decided not to use her powers ever again. Cue a bomb being activated and her powers being the only that could save everyone. Unfortunately, since using her powers also causes her to revert to a [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity psychotically evil]] [[SuperpoweredEvilSide mentality]] (which, come to think of it, explains wanting to be normal), this was also a case of ChronicVillainy.

* In the last big pre-ComicBook/{{Crisis|on Infinite Earths}} StoryArc for ''Comicbook/GreenLantern'', Hal Jordan decided that being GL had ruined his life, and resigned. For about a year, John Stewart wore the ring, but Hal's journey to Find Himself got as much panel time as John's costumed adventures. Ultimately, Hal realized that [[strike: he was a directionless, unmotivated loser without the twin crutches of the Ring and the Corps]] being Comicbook/GreenLantern was his [[BecauseDestinySaysSo one, true destiny]].

-->-- ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''

* In the film of ''Film/PrinceCaspian'', Edmund Pevensie is suffering from this. He had just spent twenty years as a king in Narnia...only to be thrown back into elementary school in the middle of WorldWarII.

* This happens to Berserker Orson in the ''RecordOfLodossWar'' TV series. Naturally, he has to become a berserker again in order to save his partner Sheris.
* [[spoiler: Asuna]] of ''MahouSenseiNegima'' has an odd case of this. Long story short, she's a princess from a magical world who became a normal schoolgirl at great effort, and is in the process of losing that normality because she hadn't factored in her own behavior post LaserGuidedAmnesia, and is therefore running headlong into what she ran from ten years before.

* At the start of the second season of ''CodeGeass'', Lelouch has lost his memories of his mother and sister, and of having been the terrorist leader Zero ([[spoiler:all thanks to the Emperor's memory-altering Geass]]) and is back at Ashford, acting much like he did at the start of the series. Even though the choice is pretty much taken out of his hands by C.C. restoring his memories, it's shown that he's still dissatisfied with the current state of affairs and apparently only lacked the motivation to return to his old life.

** In the current series, the ComicBook/RedHulk depowered the Hulk by absorbing all his gamma radiation, saying that Bruce Banner would never become the Hulk again. Banner was GenreSavvy enough to know that eventually he'd [=reHulkify=] and spent his time preparing for that day.

** Back in season 3's "Helpless" she's GenreSavvy enough to realise that, much as she'd like a normal life, there's be serious downsides to it:

* In the film of PrinceCaspian, Edmund Pevensie is suffering from this. He had just spent twenty years as a king in Narnia...only to be thrown back into elementary school in the middle of WorldWarII.

* On {{Smallville}}, when Clark gets his powers [[PowersAsPrograms transferred to]] a would-be hero, he thinks it's great. Until the "super boy" [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity lets it go to his head]] and acts irresponsibly, Clark has to reluctantly get his powers back [[BecauseDestinySaysSo just as we all knew he would]].

* This is precisely how ''SailorNothing'' starts. Himei's status as Sailor Salvation has been officially revoked, but it doesn't eliminate any of the powers of her or her AnimalGuardian Dusty. The only change is, she refuses to be Sailor Salvation any longer, so she isn't. And she's still fully aware of when [[TheHeartless a Yamiko]] is created, so it's not like she can live in blissful ignorance...

** In the current series, the RedHulk depowered the Hulk by absorbing all his gamma radiation, saying that Bruce Banner would never become the Hulk again. Banner was GenreSavvy enough to know that eventually he'd [=reHulkify=] and spent his time preparing for that day.

* Woody from ''QuantumAndWoody'' suffers from this; even after losing his energy-blasting powers and a breakup with his partner and best friend, Woody is shocked when he answers police calls unbidden and realizes he's got ChronicHeroSyndrome.
* [[TheHulk Bruce Banner]] has been "permanently cured of being the Hulk" on several occasions, only to have to [=reHulkify=] himself to solve some crisis. Why they don't use the same [=deHulkifier=] on him again after the crisis is resolved is rarely if ever explained.

* In the last big PreCrisis StoryArc for ''Comicbook/GreenLantern'', Hal Jordan decided that being GL had ruined his life, and resigned. For about a year, John Stewart wore the ring, but Hal's journey to Find Himself got as much panel time as John's costumed adventures. Ultimately, Hal realized that [[strike: he was a directionless, unmotivated loser without the twin crutches of the Ring and the Corps]] being Comicbook/GreenLantern was his [[BecauseDestinySaysSo one, true destiny]].