I think the key to it is time to take the shock and go through the anger and pain of this discovery. Once you make it through that part enough, you can begin to plug yourself into the real world, all the while shedding off your former mindset. Some do this better than others, life is basically a struggle at times, its full of ups and downs. This knowledge produces a down but that usually means there is an up on its way as we come to terms with it and naturally want to be happy. Sometimes we need to push ourselves, other times things come our way.
Since leaving after over 2 years i'm getting a life together, its been real hard and lonely at times, but its getting there. Just yesterday I went shooting air rifle's with two people I now know, we ended up shooting can's and bottles which I found real good fun!
CS 101