To wonder why I get self-conscious when out alone?

[LateLatte]

Is it just me? I go walking, shopping or to the supermarket with family/friends and don't notice or care about other people. If I go on my own I feel super self aware. If I walk back to something I've passed I feel like people will be watching me wondering why I am walking around like a crazy woman! When I'm walking on the street I feel I look awkward and don't know what to do with my hands. I aren't generally of low self esteem so why do I feel like this when I am alone?!!

I get this.
Tbh women alone in public get a ton of shit, creepy guys harassing us, treated as if we shouldn't dare take up space.

And I have mh issues, some days it's as much as I can do to go out and interact with people. I don't need extra shit.

This sounds tough and I think you need to try to address what the underlying issue is. As adults we can't have someone hold our hand everywhere we go. Walking down the street alone is a totally normal part of life. Do you judge other people when you see them alone? I doubt it, because you're wrapped up in your own life. Same goes for everyone else.

I feel for you, and if this is something you find debilitating you should really seek counselling.

I feel the same as you OP. I am fine with friends, family or even pets with me, but if I am on my own I feel awkward and vaulnarable, I also feel like people are watching and judging me, unlike you, I have very low confidence, anxiety and depression. I just force myself to do it anyway.

I do too. To be honest it is because at least once a month a man will shout after me to "give him a smile" or "cheer up love" type comments. And because there are a lot of work vans around here, again about once a month I'll be shouted at from a van as it drives past. This only seems to happen when I am on my own. I know this doesnt bother some women but find it really stressful and upsetting - so I suppose I'm always on "high alert" so to speak.

(I'm in my mid 30s and not what I'd consider to be "hot stuff" ! It must be awful for younger women around here )

I don't think this is quite the same anxiety as you have, but just to let you know that you are not alone in feeling self conscious when out and about and there are some good pieces of advice from others here which i'll be reading through too.

I'm the exact same OP I end up looking shifty and weird because I'm so concerned about looking shifty and weird

This is utterly incomprehensible to me - which seeing how many people seem to feel the same at OP, I guess makes me lucky. I love going out alone because it’s the only time I don’t need to worry about anyone else. Sitting in a cafe on my own with a pot of tea and a good book is my idea of heaven (doesn’t happen often, though, with two young DSs). It would never occur to me that strangers would be noticing me or judging me because, after all, I’m not noticing or judging them.

I agree with the posters who suggest you try and get some counsellling to help with this. To not be able to enjoy the exquisite pleasure of solitude seems such a shame to me.

Yes I enjoy being on my own I don't think I am amazingly confident or anything but being nervous about walking down a street on your own does not sound good and you may need help with or it could spoil your life.

Nice also not being hassled as used to be quite attractive to men and got alot of unwelcome staring, hissing, whistling etc which is annoying and intimidating - stops at 38 ish though result!