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That is, what parts of your previous religion or lack thereof, are such big shifts that you think most cradle Catholics have never even conceptualized them? Or what really shook your whole being that cradle Catholics take for granted?

There's so many but I will share one as an atheist, I think cradle Catholics don't realize how pervasive and agonizing the thought of death and the ensuing non-existence is to atheists. Maybe others will be able to back me up, but if you're a more existentially inclined person, it comes up again and again and you're in a constant battle of distracting yourself from it, there's always a little voice whispering "you're gonna die and stop existing and nothing matters" and a great deal of things, binging TV, scrolling, drinking and partying, etc. are a somewhat veiled way of shutting it up.

Another little thing but interesting is that atheists have essentially only two real holidays and very close together, Halloween and Christmas, and the rest of the year is entirely barren.

I've also heard that for a lot of protestants the death of a loved one feels extremely final, they can't talk to them, or pray for them or be helped by them, it's just your grandpa is completely gone until the day of general resurrection.

I'm a Cradle Catholic, so I can't speak much for Converts. I can say, however, that I do think what non-Catholics and non-Christians would lack most (inculpably ignorant excepted), is the quite inner joy and peace that comes from knowing you're doing God's Will and living in the State of Grace. That's our most important duty as Catholics, to live in the State of Grace and persevere on the road to Heaven. And God gives us inner joy and peace of heart as we do it. But, nice thread. Let's see what others say. God Bless.

Exactly. Of course there's emotional up and downs but the difference between the underlying joy and peace of being God's and in God's world versus a senseless world is night and day.

Another little thing but interesting is that atheists have essentially only two real holidays and very close together, Halloween and Christmas, and the rest of the year is entirely barren.

What does an atheist celebrate at Christmas?
They also can celebrate their major holiday...April 1.