I like the hiking analogy. It sounds like you look at the bigger picture. It was painful on the hike but you saw some great sites so it was all worth it. I don't necessarily think the same could be said about stuttering though. Some times in situations when I stuttered I think it wasn't worth it in the end because of how bad I stuttered. It wasn't worth it because of how difficult it was. Even if it was a good conversation and the other person was fully understanding, if I stuttered badly through it, I can't help but think it might have been more worthwhile to avoid the conversation altogether. I know that's avoidance behavior and that's not healthy but some times that's what I'd rather do than go through this physical exhaustion of speaking. And I am approaching 30 very soon. My situation isn't the same as yours and I'm sorry to hear that but you seem to have the right attitude towards how to handle it. Don't worry about sounding hypocritical. It's always easier to give advice than to follow it yourself.