Should I not go to the party due to lack of confidence?

[Anonymous]

I've been invited by an acquaintance to a party because he knew I was single and looking. It's inching closer to the party date so I'm beginning to have a lot of doubts that I would even be received well by others. I'm not looking my best, being stressed out going to school and working full time, gained weight and lack sleep so I'm really lacking confidence. I haven't socialized in so long too so my social skills are kinda rusty.

I plan on going with a friend to ease the anxiety. But I really don't want a bad experience. I can't tell if I shouldn't go just to prevent a bad experience stain in my memory or if I should go, just take a risk and deal with a bad experience. I have been to social outings where its turned into bad experiences, really not looking to add another one to the list.

[Darkest-Knight]

Go. If you don't you will regret it later. Which will effect you confidence even more because you will have more negative impressions of yourself. Even if you have a bad time you can at least learn from the evening.

Don't make the same mistakes I did. You don't want to be 58 and very lonely.

[slatyb]

You should go. Giving in to this fear will only make it worse.

[WhitneySnow]

You should go. If you don’t have fun you can always leave early.

[xyzguy1296]

Your entire life would be difficult because of lack of confidence

[Asker]

So what if the night becomes a nightmare?

A bad memory imprinted in my brain that i can't forget

People are mean in my city.

[xyzguy1296]

Just delete out bad memories from your mind and move ahead in life with confidence 💕

[Asker]

I can't. I remember them forever

[MountainMetal]

It's painful when those awful memories keep showing up uninvited, and it's a very common problem.

Bad memories teach you lessons needed to survive. Dancing = possible negative feelings = avoid.

Revisiting those bad memories and layering on new meaning combined with what you know now is the best way to deal with them. Dancing = harmless fun = indulgence.

You control your own narrative, including what you can and can't do.

[eagle1951]

go you'll like it