Have you ever felt like you’re on mute? Like no one in the world wants to listen to you or your ideas and thoughts? Have you ever wanted to reach out to others, but can’t seem to find a way to formulate a conversation in person? It’s like the right words can’t seem to come out, but when you’re suddenly sitting in front of your computer, your fingers dance away on the keyboard.
Yeah, this is why I write for Odyssey.
As a freshman in college majoring in journalism and working for the school’s newspaper, I felt hesitant to try something beyond what my college offered. As I would get my short assignments from my newspapers, I felt like my writing needed to go further. To be fair, those short assignments are what lead me to discover what Odyssey does. I didn’t go looking for this opportunity. The opportunity came to me, and I took it and never looked back. With a new vision in life, I was given the leadership role of editor-in-chief. Again, I never asked for any of these incredible opportunities. But as I was thinking about this leadership role, I began thinking of my inner thoughts. If you look inside my head, you’ll see I am a woman that has a lot to say about plenty of issues happening around us and personally. You’ll also see my need to write about a random topic. The more I thought about it, the more ecstatic I became about getting the chance to contribute my writing possibly to the world.
While I have not been able to find it in myself to write about the issues that matter the most to me, what I’ve written so far can create a picture of who I am. I like to consider myself a joyful writer rather than stating researched information. However, as an EIC (editor-in-chief), I get to read other community creators' content who want use their voice to get issues and ideas across. Getting the chance to read my community's submissions, I come to feel inspired as so many people misjudge online writers. There is this stigma that anything published online is fabricated or too opinionated for society. In all truths, the Odyssey community is enabling writers to speak out about issues that matter the most; no fancy degree needed, no major in journalism needing to be declared.
The people who take their time to write online are influencers. In Odyssey, that's who I envision to become, and how I see my team. Each person involved in this writing process wants to leave a permanent mark in the world and wants for their words to be carried through various audiences. I may not get to be in an OR room watching how a neurosurgeon clips an aneurysm, but I am doing what I'm most passionate about. I, unlike so many people online, don't take for granted journalists. In all truths, journalists are the ones who get the news across first. We are how discussions get started. We have ethics, and we also have the freedom.
Besides pictures, words also help comfort someone. An article that's about loving yourself, despite sexual orientation, can help a person realize their self-worth and understand that they are not alone. An article about the best places to eat in Miami can help a bored South Florida soul in their bedroom to go out and try something new. Any topic can give someone something positive or even educational to think more on.
My first writing experience was senior year with my newspaper class. This was an unforgettable team with unforgettable people.
As I write for Odyssey, I'm gaining much work experience and productivity. I'm not subjecting myself to being closed minded, rather I am being heard. In real life, I'm as introvert as one can be. This platform has given me the chance to break out of my shell and let the words I have kept hidden in myself finally flow out my mouth in conversation. One day, I will share my well-gathered thoughts on all the issues that matter to me without feeling hesitant.
With that being said, thank you, Odyssey, for enabling my passion for writing to become a work-in-progress.
