iv only had one job ever so far, and it was a retail job at Footlocker. i was EXTREMELY anxious cause i mean you have to talk to people, and what not in order to thrive in such a store, especially it being located downtown.
breathing helped a ton, music going there and back helped ease my anxiety, but above everything else was being comfortable in the work environment. People made me feel comfortable, they were all around my age, 19 or so, and it felt like i was just in school or class again, not work. i guess being comfortable with people there. i tried to hide it, like when it was REALLY BAD, but there were two managers who read me like a book and figured out something was wrong and approached me; and if that didnt happen, if i didnt feel comfortable with them, i wouldnt have gotten better. Especially knowing they were going through terrible things as well.
i learned that the more you try and disconnect with people and certain things at work, the more its gonna allevate ur anxiety and stress levels. i was so nervous at talking to people at first when on the floor, but i forced myself to realize they were the same as me, just people; and they would be going through their own stuff in life as well, just as i was. and so i started to enjoy talking to people, and it started with being comfortable in that environment with people.
You say the person who booked you're thing is a really lovely person, perhaps a chance to connect and be comfortable is right then and there?
I guess it just depends on ur job really and the person you are, but there isnt a way to "hide and disconnect" from customers imo, but i was just like you, so i know how it feels; though i find a way and it made me being around people the best thing to happen to me. i felt less alone, and work became a safe haven for me, like a place to escape from myself and me being alone and in my room.