When practicing is it normal for things to get worse before they got better

When I first did meditation, metta and mantras, I got mixed results. Though admittedly my practice was kind of all over the place.

I felt like I was far more anxious, things that scared me seemed to scare me more. Nightmares and sleep paralysis became a common occurrence. I’d try to sleep only just feel a sense of dread. Though admittedly these were already preexisting problem, but it did feel like I was inflaming them.

To the point I took a break from it all and seriously consider just quitting the dharma entirely. But two weeks ago I decided to dip my toes back in and now it suddenly feels alright.

My sleep has gotten better. I’ve found that I don’t feel much fear even in a nightmare, I usually just chant ‘praise to the jewel in the lotus.’

While I haven’t abstained completely, I’ve found it easier to reduce the amount of alcohol I drink, I don’t overeat as much. I feel more patient with others too when I interact with them. I’m more productive at my work and hobbies, or at the very least it doesn’t feel like grinding toil as much.

It’s not perfect, but things feel ok now for me.

Has anyone experience something similar?