Reddit reviews Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

Nope - you're absolutely right about what others have said about Munches. It's by far the safest and friendliest way to both learn more from real people, and to meet potential kinky partners.
Look out on Fetlife.com for any munches listed as 'TNG' ('The Next Generation'). They're specifically aimed at younger people who might be put off by us older experienced players.

I can recommend a phrase (and the excellent eponymous book - 'Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway'.)

Munches are not scary - everyone is in street clothes. No one walking past would know the attendees are kinky. And conversation might range (from spanking techniques) to 'where did you get that fab shirt?' or 'did you see the news about the roadworks in town?' anyway.

If I were you I would start training Social and Positive Thinking. A few points in each should do.

Here is a skill book that gives you free points in Social when you read it.

Here is a skill book which gives you a free point Positive Thinking.

These are also known to give a temporary boost to the related skills if you take one every day.

Goodluck and don't worry, it gets much easier in the later levels.

You need to get over your anxiety, and the only way you can do that is to embrace it. Get out of your comfort zone and face the fear head on. This way you will expand your comfort zone and you will learn to use fear to your advantage. This might sound scary but its the only way out and trust me, you dont want to live the rest of your life inside your comfort zone. That is no way of living.

This book and this book are quite helpful on the topic of getting over the fear of anything really. Dont get me wrong, just reading these two books wont help you get over your anxiety, you need to go out and apply it to your life.

This may not be the solution you want to hear, but its the only way out of an anxiety :) Good luck with it