But I just wonder what it would be like to be able to go places without people recognizing me.
Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.
Things can fall apart, or threaten to, for many reasons, and then there's got to be a leap of faith. Ultimately, when you're at the edge, you have to go forward or backward; if you go forward, you have to jump together.