I always referred to myself as the terminal odd man out. It wasn't that I was unlikeable, rather that I was just there. I never had a huge group of friends or any obvious talent, my grades were average and I was not turning heads when I walked by. For years I questioned what I was even good at.

I remember a time in particular when I was sixteen at a high school cast party, my friends were mingling and I stood in the corner clutching a Diet Coke. To flustered to eat and too exhausted to speak I quietly slipped away. I made my way out the side door and walked to the end of the street, I looked over my shoulder to assure no one was watching and I called my Dad and went home. I promised myself that no one cared, and I was right.

Years later, I realized that no one cared, because no one noticed and that had nothing to do with me. What did have to do with me was the fact that I lacked self-confidence. I didn't try to talk to anyone, I just assumed that no one wanted to talk to me.

Instead of thinking "I'm not good enough", I constantly remind myself that every moment matter, but not every title matters. I may not be everyone's best friend, but at least I'm someone's friend. I wasn't a star athlete, but at least I was a part of the athletic department (I still won't call myself an athlete).

With age, I realized that I do not need a huge group of friends, a trophy on my cluttered chest of drawers, or sweet memories to look back on. All I need is to be proud of who I am and how far I have come.

To the person who feels like they haven't quite found their place in the world: your place is exactly where you are, but it isn't stagnant. You will move forward, fail, recover, amaze yourself, infuriate the people around you, change your mind a thousand times, and laugh at yourself daily, but above all, you will grow.