How to process the ''it's like it never happened'' stage

I just off of a conference call at work. Last year, I was fired, due to my poor performance, mostly due to dealing with the fallout from dating my ex N. Now, I have a good job again. Thank you Lord, for your blessings.

I dated the guy a mere three months, but before him, I dated another narc. (which led me to this website--God bless you Lisa, and others here, you saved my life!)

I knew last year's narc as a friend for over a year, however. That said, I have a better job now than my last one, and my kids and I are doing really well, now.

I have only one friend (somewhat mutual of the narc) who I still speak to, but I had gone NC with her for a while, up until recently, she called my house (as I changed my cell number last year as a result of dealing with all the narc drama) and we chatted briefly about the narc. She told me that he hasn't changed, in a nutshell, and we got a good laugh.

But, everyone? When she told me about him, I thought to myself, it's 'almost' like the whole thing never happened. It very much did. My life changed a lot from it. And I look back to it as a catalyst that led me to true change within myself. I realized I had to finally deal with the demons from my childhood, so thank you ex narc!

But, I sit here today, typing this...and it almost feels like it never happened. A byproduct I have from the whole thing, is a sincere lack of trust now, in humanity, it seems. Especially with men. I date, but everyone is at an arm's length. I have good female friends who have had my back for years, so they are immune. But, I have a hard time letting outsiders into my circle, now.

So my questions are this ...to those who have been NC for a year or longer...

1) Is this normal, to feel a lack of trust like this? Does it subside, and when did you begin truly trusting people again?

2) Is it normal to feel like it was all just a bad dream? Almost like you imagined it, and it didn't happen?

If you could provide your thoughts and any feedback to this particular 'stage,' that would be great. :) Happy Friday!!