Social Anxiety

Hey y’all, so my boyfriend asked me to come with him to a work party. I have social anxiety and am nervous. I know I shouldn’t be and I don’t know why I feel this way. He is somewhat new at his job and the first time I am meeting everyone. My personality is normally that I am quiet at first until you get to know me. He made a comment to me and said that “he hopes I don’t follow him around everywhere. And that I should branch out and make friends.” I understand where he is coming from but I feel like I need to watch my every step now. Because I don’t want to be clingy but I don’t want to be by myself the whole time especially if I’m feeling uncomfortable. He is super outgoing so he doesn’t really understand what I’m feeling. But he said he just wants me to be myself and I am going to try to but it’s hard for me when I am in new settings. I feel nervous and a little nauseous and I don’t want to and I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way because it’s just a party. I feel silly asking lol but does anyone have any tips for me? :)