Feedback-Dreaded yet Important

For years I have read, re-read, edited, scrapped and read again, my stories and I became my own worse critic! So I was incredibly frightened to show my work to others...I started with family (who, I might add, do not mind telling me if something I have written is rubbish) then I moved on to friends (who of course loved my writing) then came that dreaded moment when I chose to share them with the world! Hours and hours of dreading the outcome has heightened my surprise at having gained so much great positive feedback! I am truly delighted and very thankful!