I was terrorized and trapped into agreeing to go to the Company Christmas/Holiday party...

I suspect I will be sorry and it may ruin my career-run, but I agreed to attend the office party. I'm not going to lie, I do feel like it's a small achievement, but now that I am committed the fear and panic is starting to erupt. I'm just not that good in party environments and it now seems with people I know and work with it actually will be worse than if I didn't know anyone at all.

Surprisingly, I am not that good at spontaneous conversation that has no productive outcome or use. It's possible I come across as shy and socially awkward (a bit). And, while I can put on a good act for a short burst of time, all night is going to be literally impossible, not to mention energy depleting. And, I don't know there will be a way to make an easy, early exit. Parties should be banned for work environments.

But, there is no practical way out of it now.