How often is it normal to get cold sores?

Welcome, and do not feel low, it is so common and manageable.

Thank you for sharing. For most people the biggest lever is daily sun protection on the lips, even on cloudy days.

Catching the tingle early is everything for me.

Honestly it's all over the map, I went years without one and then had three in a single winter when I was stressed and out in the sun a lot. Try not to worry too much about what's "normal" and just pay attention to what seems to set yours off.

Sleep makes a huge difference for me, more than I expected.

Honestly for me it used to be three or four a year, mostly after ski trips or a rough stretch of sleep, and I spent way too long thinking that was some kind of failure on my part. Turns out it's pretty normal, and once I figured out my own triggers it dropped a lot, so try not to beat yourself up over it.