I heard somewhere that people's #1 fear is public speaking (#2 being death). So I certainly don't think your alone. Simply put, I'd like to emphasize that the

I heard somewhere that people's #1 fear is public speaking (#2 being death). So I certainly don't think your alone. Simply put, I'd like to emphasize that the problem is entirely within you. This can all change without the action (or awareness) of _any_ other people. You simply have to ask yourself -- why is it that I allow other people's opinion of me to influence what I think about myself? Why is my self-image tied up in the opinion of others? I used to struggle with this (in middle school) until I realized that other people's behavior is governed entirely by their own problems, their own insecurities and concerns -- so their reaction to you has _very_ little to do with you, and a whole LOT to do with them. So not only is it not healthy, it is ILLOGICAL to allow others' opinions to sway you at all! Meditate on this when these feelings start to paralyze you. Remember that plenty of great work was ridiculed and derided when it was first accepted -- think about Galileo! No matter how bad the publicly responds to whatever you show it, it will likely not be as bad as it was for Galileo. :)