I've recently hit my first-year mark of writing for Odyssey. All I have to say, it is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've learned so much from this experience and I've got to watch my own writing grow and I love the satisfaction I get seeing how much people enjoy reading my work.

Writing has always been one of my strong points. My main passion in life that I've always wanted to do something with. Odyssey has given me that chance. It's given the chance to express myself, to have freedom over my work, to have a voice.

I'm so happy that I got introduced to this site when I did. I'm a young adult still easing into the world and learning new things. I feel like there are so many people I can connect with and share stories with. I love reading others articles and relating to them. That's all I wish to achieve. Even if I just reach one person, it's worth it. That's all I've ever wanted out of my writing, was to reach out to someone who can relate, who can find themselves in my words. That's why we read, isn't it? To not only learn new things and travel away for a while, but to find something to latch onto.

That's my favorite part about reading; finding myself within it. Knowing that I'm not only in certain situations or just understanding more about the character and feel like I know them better. It's what I strive to do. Odyssey gives me that opportunity.

I write more about my opinions or just generally talk about stuff I know or what to know if others understand. I love that I can get feelings out. Such as my recent mental health pieces. It feels so good to be able to get those thoughts out and share them with others. I looked forward to developing a cancer series and writing about my experience with that and everything I've learned.

That's my favorite part about all of this. Is getting to grow. I want to work on some more intense pieces. I want to do mental health works, cancer, divorce, etc. I want to find more people who need words to their feelings. People who can find someone that gets them and is able to tell them that it's okay.

The other benefit of this is all the wonderful people I have met. The people in my community, Gustavus Adolphus College, are incredible. They have been nothing but nice and welcoming since the beginning and I love reading their article every week and learning from them.

Honestly, I don't know why more people don't join. If you enjoy writing, I highly recommend signing up. You have so much freedom and you learn so much, it really is a great experience.

Just go to theodysseyonline.com enter your email and sign up. Let me know what you think after you join, what you feel is the best part about it. Same for those already writing, what is the best part for you?