party pooper

[anotheranon]

I'm sitting here in my office, alone, while everyone else is at the office party on the next floor down.

I just couldn't face it. I went to one office party in my entire career and it was one of the more stressful and awkward social situations I've ever been in in my life. I never know what to say to people, where to sit, etc. Assuming I'm able to find a place where I'm reasonably un-noticeable, then people do notice and ask if I'm having a good time, etc. The idea of going to another makes a panic attack seem likely.

Frankly, I'd really rather just party with people I actually know well.

I just hope it doesn't reflect too badly on me professionally.