Dealing with phobias

Well it's not a phobia but I sometimes in rl have problems with people. As in being around strangers and the keyword is strangers. I am what you english call an introvert and sometimes, annoyingly it translates into my games even online games where having contact with others is a must, like in Everquest II, WOW, Second Life, etc. I have been known to 'accidentally' log off in middle of conversation when things get too uncomfortable.

Now in Sims I have found I am on a pattern. My Sims don't have socialife much, especially after they have found a spouce and tend to stay at home. Don't even have many if any visitors.

For the last two months I have been trying to shake things up by having my Sims have a dinner party at home, go out on dates, answer yes to the random phonecalls, dragging the toddlers to the park and just go out jogging and say hi to strangers. There is a certain tall, pale dude in strange clothes that has been seen in the neighbourhood that has intrigued one of my Sims. Hm...