Intrusive thoughts while meditating is that normal

I’m just starting to focus on breathing and having good thoughts and good intents for other people like family members (almost like prayer but more like affirmations for them). It’ll be going fine, but I find that my mind wonders and intrusive thoughts will come up. Like my abusive ex will pop up, or a plane going down, me failing, fire, etc. I can snap out of it, but is that normal when beginning? I used to have anxiety and no self love which I’ve worked on, but my mind just goes to the bad stuff right away when focusing on positive