There was a time when I was loathe to show my face in public. I'd been all over the local news and on the front page of the papers because of a DUI accident, and since I'd had my license yanked, had no choice but to use public transit and confront the masses on a daily basis. It was terrifying and each time I stepped foot into a public space, I assumed everyone knew who I was and hated me. And I actually was recognized once or twice by strangers early on, but that was the worst of it. If nothing else, people out and about in the daylight hours are generally quite civil unless given immediate reason not to be. And I actually made the situation much worse by building up the threat in my mind and hiding inside of my house for months fending off imagined threats. It can also be helpful to find someone who'll accompany you the first few times out.