I know what you mean about people trying to tell you how hard it is going to be etc Becci. I think in some ways it is just people trying to relate, but forgetting how they felt before they had their first. It can be really annoying hearing it constantly, I know it wound be up before I had DD.
Some of it is just human nature I guess, we tend to exaggerate things. At the end of the day, everyone has a different experience as a parent so hearing other people's stories isn't always what you need!
It makes me think of DD's birth- I still remember how petrified I was of a forceps birth, having heard horror stories, and I was of the opinion I would rather have a c- section if forceps were necessary. I wish someone had just told me that actually, it wouldn't be amazing, but it would probably be ok. It turned out I needed forceps when DD was born, and that fear when they told me was horrible. Yet actually, it was absolutely fine. Not fun, not what I had hoped for, but it wasn't that bad, it was quick and we were both fine. I wish someone had told me that before to ease my worry.
Similarly with sleep, you hear the horror stories. It isn't easy, but it is often a short lived phase and it all changes again anyway. So really, far more useful than the horror stories would just be advise that it will change, the old phrase, "it's only a phase, it will pass."
The best advice someone gave me before DD was born was to make a list of simple things I loved to do/wanted to do that would be harder with a baby- eg. just enjoying those lie ins, go out to a lovely restaurant, go to the cinema or theatre- and to shot those before she arrived but to make a point of doing them occasionally after she arrived as well.