I also agree with this.

I mention in another comment that I find gaining familiarity with a place or situation, even if it's not exactly like the experience that's inciting current anxiety, is something that really helps me.

I think that is related to what you are saying here, being able to recognize that your anxiety is much bigger than it needs to be for what you are about to embark upon. It was so much easier going to court yesterday after having served jury duty, I can't even tell you. And jury duty was a good 1st experience with court because I knew I was one of dozens being called that day and every one of them was probably just as unused to the process as I was. Plus there isn't the anxiety of having to testify, etc.

I also want to say that, while I was really set on making it to court, deciding to use the experience as my #adayinthelife story probably was another factor which really helped me 100% get there and not once think, "Oh I could just miss this, it'd be okay." I went out with a mission, which was to observe and bring back information. There was a lot more personal motivation to get to court, as opposed to just external motivation (being called as a witness).