Hi, just a little update. I committed to the event so I ended up going. It was surprisingly quite easy to get through. I feel like I have so many moments like this in my life. I am just absolutely filled with dread about something, then when it's all over I realize that I can do anything as easily as others. I suppose that was something I forgot beforehand. What I'm going to do with this knowledge now is to start keeping a journal solely for my successes (I find that journaling has been really helpful with my anxiety). Then whenever I have any doubt in myself I can look back and remember that things really aren't so hard. That's my new motivation.
Thanks for replying Mustkeepjob32. Surely you have some success stories too!!