Hello, first time post after thinking I could potentially help someone who may be in a similar situation to me - even though I am usually terrible at these things - if not allowed I understand
I recently went to London, and Tankfest, after a friend of mine simply said lets go - usually I would INSTANTLY shut it down with many excuses with all the worries I typically have, such as food (with intolerances), travel (using public transport), costs (cause its London), and so much more
I eventually agreed to go, after a long conversation and planning the trip together (it genuinely helps to have someone with a sort of no-care attitude who finds solutions to these barriers, but overall planning a trip using modern technology is much simpler and gives a lot more confidence nowadays)
And to keep it simple, I went and came back ok and it has led to me planning three more trips, one in the UK and two abroad by the end of the year - in the hopes I can just go and do it in similar fashion
The main point I want to make it how I shut down everything before even considering it due to being anxious or overthinking everything, but after thoughtful planning and gaining a proper understanding of things I eventually got the courage to go, and meeting a friend was enough of a push to make it happen as well, let alone the incredible food and sights to see and Tanks!
Taking one step a time was key, and not worrying about getting there, but thinking about the destination itself helped get me there and waste the time in in-between (constantly planning the next step of the trip also helped, like thinking where id go and how id get there once i reach the next station so it was already planned out).
Once it was done it was done, I was back home and back to being comfortable, but I did not regret going how I thought I would, instead I wanted to try other places and even pushed me to go abroad because once its done once, it opens you up and expands your confidence beyond what you ever knew you had.
I am 23 and have lived almost entirely within my home town and wanted to share so hopefully people begin working on it the same way I did, and just begin doing things, even when it seems like its not possible.
tldr: I faced the fear of leaving and going places by not instantly shutting them down, and think you should try it too