Grieving over mistakes of the past, needn't be about no longer being able to function. Describing that the pain makes you want to curl up and cry says that the wounds are either fresh or unresolved from your past or a mixture of both. Putting on that happy façade is only stuffing emotions down, teetering on the chance of a meltdown/breakdown. Embracing the pain of the past needn't set off the entire days mood. I, too, woke up this morning replaying parts of my past. There was something to be gained as the day progressed.(example) My pattern of pain causes me to feel angry when others lie to dismiss my reality. So, when my ex called this morning, to tell me of a work change with'oh, why are you going there today'...i was able to move myself into action. My memory was in being told something that happened to me at 11, 'that didn't happen'. I was told...to my children's father casually'forgets' details, like today...also ended up with a heartfelt text moment with my dad. Waking up with morose memories are the minds way of addressing the present, worries, fears, et al.