Hi CrazyCanuck. Your post really caught my attention. For my whole life until very recently I've been worried about "being in the way" in one form or another. I spent an inordinate amount of energy, time, and life trying to make myself small, get out of the way, not be a pain in the butt for other people. I've come to the realization that this is no way to live. I've also figured out that I'm not a PITA. I'm a pretty good person, pretty good company, interesting, and people don't want me to shrink and get out of the way. Even little things like walking down the MIDDLE of the sidewalk instead of on the edge has taken me a long time and alot of courage to do.

Just try to remember that you have a right to be where you are. You have a right to assert yourself, even if that means "holding other people up." They'll find a way around you if they really need to get somewhere. That is up to them, not you.

Take care of yourself.