I know how you feel. It can be torture to be surrounded by more advanced dancers and feel like you're floundering. But stick with it. It will get more fun as you get more experience. You won't have to wait five years!

One way to take the focus off yourself is to think more about your partner. Is what you're doing making the dance fun for her, too? Most women I know would MUCH rather dance a well-led basic than something fancy that doesn't go as well. And think about her level, too. Even if you could improvise, if she's a beginner, too, and doesn't know how, if you suddenly let go of her, it wouldn't be much fun for her!

But I think the most important thing is to start right now having fun with the steps you know. Even when you know the footwork and can "do the moves," you can always improve your connection and communication with your partner, your musicality (how you respond to the music of that particular song), your style, and so on. Those are the things that the advanced dancers are enjoying, as much or more than just fancy footwork. You can start enjoying those things right now. Next time you do a basic, smile at your partner and try to make your connection with her really work. Be a little playful. Really feel the music. The basic isn't a "desperation move"; it's the foundation of your dance and the best place to start feeling free and having fun.

Some men I know practice before a dance and work out sequences of steps that they can do, so they don't have to decide on the spot what to do next. If you know that, traffic allowing, you're going to do these three steps in a row, that can take the pressure off and let you be in the moment more.