Dealing with Phobias and The Outside Life

I was Wondering how people deal with the fear of going outside, for whatever reason they feel safe being in there own "world" like for me its my Room.. I often tell my friends and family, really whomever that Id rather stay in my room then go Outside and explore.. That being said.. Do you often feel crippled by fear that you want to go and live your life outside but your too afraid because your ether self conscious or other people, or you have a fear of simply being around to many people, and how do you overcome that? Ive wanted to go to NYC by myself or even someone not that far away but my Fear is holding me back, Sing at a Bar, Meet new people and just simply let go and be ones self... I cant say its an easy thing, but I know there are others out there that suffer with this stress, question is how do we deal as humans.. We cant simply live our one and only lifes locked away like the Hunch back of Notre Dame.. it just cant be done.. lets hear what you people have too say!:)