Work do help !

[Rita44]

My partner has a high powered job and he’s asked me to accompany him to a work do which I agreed to and now I’m regretting it. I want to be there for him but these things make me uncomfortable. I have a simple job and everyone attending will be in the same position as my partner. I just don’t feel good enough.

Honestly I wouldn't go! My partner has a similar job, I have a decent job but it is entirely different to what he does and is more in the creative field. Every time I've gone along to one of his work events I've regretted it. All they speak about is work related topics, people that you know nothing about and work drama, resulting in you standing there awkwardly counting the minutes. I have been there and it feels like shit. The only time it's slightly better is if perhaps his colleagues bring their partners but it's pot luck whether they'll be interesting people.

You do not need to be anything other than yourself. In fact, if you try to be different - to be 'more' - you will come across badly. Successful people are often decent people so relax, be yourself and if that means introverted and not the life and soul of the party, so be it. All you have to do is go and observe, not much to go wrong.

If other partners are going, isn't it unlikely they're all going to be in high powered jobs?

I’d go and keep an open mind - reframe it around supporting your partner, getting to know more about his world, maybe meeting some interesting people. Absolutely not about you trying to impress people - really doesn’t matter what they think of you. If they have respect for your partner you’ll already be arriving with some kudos. If you hate it, or they’re really awful people, you can say you don’t want to go again!