It is tough when you try to walk your own path and things that are so different to those who are not used to it (your family as is the case with me also). I have done things that are so far away from "normal", like travelling on my own and joining tour groups, faced the inevitable resistance and it's mental torture.

Being with others who have similar motivations to you and want to do something with their lives are who you need to surround yourself with. Getting confidence only comes with experience and you have had experiences that most others will never have. Use what you have already been through in your life to increase your own confidence and always talk to others with a like mind and situation. Hopefully this will help with the anxiety.

Thanks for sharing your personal story. Let's not talk about social media as it creates many a psychological dilemma of its own...