I heard a saying once that really changed things for me, it goes, "Trust your intuition, the only time it ever let you down is when you did not listen to it!" A shiver ran down my backbone when I first heard this, because I realized that the comment was speaking truth. You may want to write this little saying down, somewhere you can see it everday, at least until you feel more used to trusting your intuition.
Also do not worry about appearing silly or someone else hearing you and thinking you are "bit off", what do they know anyway??? The important thing here is to be true to yourself. If you believe it is possible to communicate with the otherside, what others think, perhaps, should not be of any consequence. You are learning to trust your intuition, go slow, take baby steps, and be kind to yourself.
Please post if you have any more questions or even if you are having a hard time and just need to let it out. That's what friends are for.
Ravenheart