We’ve all been there. We’ve all felt completely overwhelmed and misguided. We’ve all stressed over things we shouldn't have and worried that things would never get better. We’ve all wondered if anything we are doing will be worth it or if we are just wasting our time. And frankly, we’ve all felt completely down on ourselves because of this. However, every single one of us matters so much for a multitude of reasons. Here are those reasons.

You matter to your friends.

What would they do without you telling them they need to make a left at the next light? Or that their shoes do not go well with that shirt? Who would they vent to about their relationship problems? Who would they call in the middle of the day to go for coffee with them or to drive them to work?

You matter to your family.

Whose door would your little brother bang on so that he can bother you when he has nothing else to do? Who else would your older sister call begging to drive her and her friends to the party? Who would teach your parents how to properly use an iPhone? And what would your mother do if you were not around when she made your favorite meals?

You matter to your pets.

Wouldn’t your dog have one less person to excitedly run to when your family returns home? Or to harass until you play with them? Who are they going to rely on to sneak them food under the table at dinner time? And who is your cat going to pretend to ignore, but curiously watch from a distance? What about your fish? Who’s going to feed it twice a day?

You matter in school.

What would your teachers and professors do without your insightful answers to their questions in class when no one else wants to speak up? And whose essay would they use as an example of what to do? Who would be that pretty girl or handsome boy they could look at and smile, wishing they were back in your shoes? What would your classmates do if they couldn’t text you when they were unsure about the homework assignments? And what if there was a huge exam coming up and they desperately needed someone to study with?

You matter to your significant other.

When they’re bored in class and need someone to text, or when they're driving a long distance and need someone to call, who can they rely on? Who’s going to give them a massage when they’re in pain? And where are they ever going to find someone who loves and cares about them as much as you do? Where would they be without someone to spew out brutal honesty and tough love to make them a better person? Who’s going to hold them when they’re freezing cold and they don’t have a jacket?

You matter to the world.

Now I know what you may be thinking: you can easily be replaced and others can do these things for the people who love you. But that’s just it — they want it from you. Every little thing you say or do significantly affects someone. Whether you’re offering someone a ride or smiling at a lonely stranger, you are making a difference. Whether you’re tutoring someone for their big math exam or braiding your best friend’s little sister’s hair before a dance recital, you’re making a difference. Though we often put these things off, and believe that everyone would be just fine without us, we tend to forget how much others rely on us to make their lives a little bit easier and a little bit more fun.

So, I promise, you matter.