The timeline for me is clearly separated to "before the first punch to the nose" and "since that moment" -- and this description is similar to just about any other person practicing martial arts that I've talked to.

The first time you get your nose punched while boxing, you have no idea what hit you, or where you are, or where the floor is. It is very disorienting, and usually quite alarming. But that experience somehow reconfigures your brain, and all the times after that are "just" irritating or painful.

And I also remember, that following that day, a lot of things in life became much less intimidating and much more tractable. For me, it was a small, but memorable, "life changing experience"