My freshman year of high school I was introduced to the greek epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer. Even though I found Greek mythology to be extremely difficult to understand there was something inspiring about Odysseus's decade-long journey home after the trojan war. He was willing to risk his life to return home to what he loved. I know... A WHOLE DECADE to return home... thank God for airplanes and cars!
I can draw many similarities from Odysseus's travels and my own personal journey of writing for Odyssey. This article is sort of like a celebration since a few weeks ago officially marked my one year anniversary with the Odyssey! After being apart of the team for so long I have discovered so much about myself, my college peers and the growth of my own writing. Odyssey has been nothing short of an adventure in itself and I want to share all of it's triumphs, tribulations and trials with you... Odyssey community, who have become more than just friends but a close-knit family to me.
When you write for Odyssey you are not just a writer, you are a creator. Your words have merit and your opinions are heard. Odyssey is a platform is designed for people like you, who want to make an impact on your campus, within your circle of friends and throughout the world.
Which brings me to my second point-- your content can reach masses. Each week, you as a creator have the opportunity to make your article go viral. Someone who lives half way across the world can share your article with all their friends and family. Someone who you have never met before can comment on your article and give you personal feedback! It's an amazing feeling to have something that you worked so hard on be noticed and praised by complete strangers.
Even Odyssey creators get writer's block. There are days when you can't think of anything to write about. Those are the days when you will go to your amazing Odyssey Community, editorial team or Editor-in-chief and ask for their help or assistance! Odyssey is more than just a writing platform it is a family. I have made great friends within my own odyssey community and they are some of the most inviting and kind people that I have ever met.
As Odysseus learned about hidden qualities within himself throughout his voyage, so have I. I have learned the importance of being true to yourself. I have learned to write what I feel despite what others think. After being promoted to a contributing editor, I have learned about the importance of details. How a simple word or comma can transform a thought. How a simple sentence can transform an entire article. I have learned that I am mentally tougher than I thought. That I can push past the occasional uncreative wall and search for a true and honest story. Odyssey has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and hopefully I don't ever have to come back. What started off as a resume builder and college club has become so much more to me. It is a place that I feel truly myself.
So, even though my trek technically needs to be 9 years longer to compete with Odysseus's, I think that I've had an amazing journey with Odyssey so far. So Odysseus, who's really the greek god here?
