Lola, you are right about facing the fear. My friend lent me a book last year, called, 'Feel the Fear, Do it Anyway'. Great book. I learned that I can ask for help, but no one can do it for me (kinda like going to the bathroom).
Girls night out...movie club. There's nothing stopping us from all watching the same movie and then getting together in a chat to discuss. It's been done before, I think might have been Donna (can't remember).