I had a few chances to attend parties since my first BBQ miss and didn’t even attempt them. So when this one came up I made it a point to go. It took some planning but I did it! I took a suggestion and talked to a few other people I was close to on the lane. I told them about my original experience and how I hoped they would be my wingmen for the upcoming BBQ. They both agreed. TeTe responded ” I got ya. No worries, Ill be there.”
Today was the day and it went better than I expected. I first attended the AA meeting iat the community center where they announced the BBQ would start immediately after. That was good since I didn’t have to go back to my house first and get cold feet. My wingman and room mate TS and I were the only ones to stay directly after so helo was needed to set up. TS started cutting the salad and I brought the prmaid items out onto the patio. Our resident chef started the grill up and pulled out some huge steaks to cook. He also brought out mouth watering bbq ribs for us to consume. It was a great spread of ribs, steaks, kamichi and potato salads, some spicy homemade quacamoli, and a few other things he had wipped together earlier in the day. The food was excellent and the drinks they served were in these glass bottles shaped like beer. I grabbed one of these Topo Chico’s and found a bottle key to pop off the top. The glass felt heavy in my hand as I held it so simmilarly to a beer. Just the shape and feel of the bottle in my hand gave me confidence to walk around the room and patio as paople started showing up. In total I was with 21 other people in a small space and the anxiety overload didn’t come on. I sat next to a few people I didn’t know, held my fake beer and ate just enough to test everything. TS and i left shortly after the party really started to get going but that was fine. I went and I conqured.
Lessons learned. Show up early and make yourself useful. People aren’t scary. I can control anxiety with just a little planning ahead. I hope there is another one soon.