Yes, I think that is normal for us. It takes practice. You have to get used to letting your imagination work for you (as opposed to against you, like in flashbacks, memories, etc.). I had so much trouble with this for awhile. I love being in the water, so my place was always going to revolve around a body of water. But I got snagged up feeling unsafe in the place I imagined, that the bodyguards would not be trustworthy. Then, I realized, this is my imagination. I can make it to be however I want. So I replaced the human bodyguards with super-reliant computer bodyguards. I know this all can sound so ridiculous, but this is my safe imaginary place we're talking about!! You can make one, too. And maybe it will do something good when the self-talk doesn't help. And yes, yes, yes, it does take time and practice for your mind to get what you're telling it, so don't give up, even if it's not working right away, okay?

Also, please go easy on yourself. It sounds like you are just starting out on this. For me, that was a time of real disorientation. It was so hard for me to get a grip.