Most of my sentiments are noted above.
I also carry because I am primarily responsible for my safety, and my family's safety. Also, while it is extremely unlikely, if I'm ever in a situation where we have a nutcase murdering innocent others, then I want to be able to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. [Please, no long lectures about how civilians with CCW's are not LEO's. I know. I've taken a good deal of training, I know not to initiate a gun fight when it's not necessary, and I don't have a hero complex. I also know that I refuse to run away if a nutcase is killing innocent, defenseless people and I could stop it.] I've also 'done the math', and recognize that LEO's usually cannot arrive in time to prevent bloodshed.
I know what you mean by feeling your firearm is obvious to others. I felt exactly the same way for awhile. Indeed, you'll be surprised after awhile that no one notices. My circumstances require deep concealment, and I was sure at first that some people would see the bulge and wonder if I was really that 'manly'.
But smart people have been working on these issues a long time, and many of these concealment rigs work great. It is a matter of experimentation, so just assume your first holster will not be your last, and you may go through a few to find the best arrangement for you.
Finally, recognize that the media is hyping this issue tremendously right now. We have a much larger population than we did in the 50's (for example). That plus some societal changes has left us with a higher rate of violence.
But, the rate of violence has actually been decreasing in recent years, according to U.S. Department of Justice stat's. The anti-self defense movement, supported by an incredibly biased media (lacking any perspective, apparently), are working overtime to make you aware of every workplace shooting. Seattle, for example - why is a double murder there a national news story? Only because some nutcase murdered 7 in Hawaii. They're beating a drum - in spite of an actual downtrend in violence. You're still generally safe at work, unless you work for the U.S. Postal Service.
You're not going to know if and when you'll need your firearm. If you knew, then you would probably avoid the situation. I put mine on each morning, just like my watch. Paranoid? Not in my perspective - just prepared. Murphy's Law still holds. I always find this part of the conversation with anti's very interesting. They'll go on and on about how we need to ban guns because they 'kill people', and they're dangerous and so on. They fear a world with guns, except for guns in the hands of the military and LEO's (ironic, considering history - see
www.jpfo.org ). But if I have concerns about violence in that same world, and choose to take responsibility for my own defense, well then I'm 'paranoid'. Interesting contradiction.
Most of the folks on TFL have many years of experience in this regard - for me, much of this is new in the last year. You are going through a metamorphosis, from someone who never really considered how to deal with violence, to a more mature human being who is willing to take action to improve your safety and your family's safety. You are learning how to use safety rescue equipment. It takes time, and the training is never over. It is a physical adaptation to carrying and efficiently using a new tool, it is mental conditioning to improve your awareness and perception, it will include a bit of law so that you understand the legal minefields we're in, and it is a political and philosophical evolution as you search for logical truths that many others ignore. It is much more than just strapping on a gun. But, it's worth it.
I'm glad I'm making this journey, and I'm doing my best to help my friends and family consider the same truths. It isn't for everyone. Congratulations on your decision.
Just make sure that no one can see the weapon, or see anything that would make them suspect it's a weapon, and you can carry to your heart's content.