The last time I was a teeny bit afraid, I don't mind admitting, was 18 months ago.
The only time I was utterly disappointed was after the 2017 crash. Bitcoin crashed from the $20.000 mark within a few days, it was literally jaw dropping to see the value of my BTC constantly decreasing.
That crash was enough to quit Bitcointalk and crypto in general, only to return back in 2020. It was the only time I was afraid and disappointed at the same time.
Disappointment seems a bit strange, given how much valuation had already expanded from the start of the year. I mean, from below $1000 to five-figure dollar sums? What exactly were you expecting, McAfee's vision to come true in 2017?
In fact, one guy even called it quits when $10k was reached for the first time. Such was their fear that the rise was too much, too fast (tried to find the thread, I even spoke to him, but maybe I'll be more motivated another time).
Fear, I'd understand. I spoke to not a few old-timers (I was fresh-faced at the time, maybe still am, dunno) and even before Bitcoin was heading to 10k, just fresh after ATH, people were saying this was it.They turned out to be wrong, but that clarity took a couple of years at least to arrive for most.
From your point of you, you're right, even after we experienced the 2017's crash, Bitcoin was still at a higher price than it was before. However, it was still depressing seeing your money slowly vanishing. I'm not complaining though, I might had abandoned Bitcoin back then, but luckily I hadn't sold any, till its price skyrocketed in 2021, multiplying my money.