Anxiety about others watching me, paranoia, GAD, whatever you want to call it, stops me enjoying the wonderful little shops and eateries in York (where I work) - I'd love to be able to browse the shops at lunchtime, take myself off for nice food ... but there's no chance! I manage large shops (M&S, etc), but the little boutiques - no way. I can just about manage them if there is something specific I know I want to buy before I go in (but even then I'm not comfortable), but browsing on my own is definitely out of the question. And I just can't bring myself to go into a restaurant on my own.
My feelings of inadequacy and lack of confidence have been very much to the fore this last week - I had my hair cut last week (had 18 inches lopped off it at Christmas, and have now had a further few inches off so it's just above my shoulders). I've had soooo many kind words about it (family, friends, work colleagues, the girls in the sandwich shop, barrista at Starbucks, checkout operator at ASDA!) ... but I can's shake the feeling they are all just being polite and are actually sniggering behind my back. I know it's awful to think that, but I just can't help it