I have exactly the same issue, and I'm starting to think this is more common than some are letting on. What I've found is helpful is by shaving diagonally on my neck in those areas. Mine is the entire width of my neck, below my chin. (The Lord has blessed/cursed my with spotty hair growth and less-than-average amounts in those spotty areas)

Similar to the scything technique has come my diagonal motion. It's more or less slowly moving towards an East to West movement over time, until I become more comfortable with the directly lateral movement. This way, I'm easing myself into that transition instead of throwing myself into the fire.

I'd give the diagonal motion a try and see how well that works for you.