G-EMMA, herein exactly lies the problem many, many pilots have in real world flying. If dealing with ATC doesn't become second nature - and it only will if you start with it early - then you will probably always have problems with it. Might be one of the reasons also, why so many people give up shortly after having attained their PPL - unless you really enjoy local bimbles (or aeros), you will have to deal with ATC if you want to do any meaningful flying, i.e. touring. Now, being afraid of doing so doesn't really help matters along....