I always felt like I was a shadow. I thought no one would want to hear what I had to say or what I wanted to write. I was a wallflower when it came to sharing my opinions and my stories. Overall, anyone who knows me knows I am not shy at all. However, when it came to sharing my thoughts with the entire world, it's something I often sat out of. When I was approached about the opportunity to write for Odyssey, I was very hesitant. I didn't think I was ready for the scrutiny some of my topics may get. I didn't think I was ready for the world to hear my voice on various topics. I didn't think I was ready to express myself in a different way that I normally hadn't before.

But I jumped in. I took the risk and began writing one of the most personal pieces I had ever written. I cried as the words came to my fingers and I relived the memories I had shoved so deep inside of myself. I shook with fear as I hit submit for the first time and I shut down my computer when I got the notification that it had been published. I feared that I had made a mistake about opening up to complete strangers about my deepest and darkest fears, pains, and torture. I worried people wouldn't respond in the way I wanted them to and I worried no one would care to read what I had written. However, it ended up being an amazing experience as I watched people respond so positively and share the messages I had written based on personal experience. From there I soared into other lighter topics and beyond.

I was finally free. For the first time in a long time I felt free to express how I felt without scrutiny. For those who wished to read they did and those who didn't care did not. I gained a lot of support from friends, family, and complete strangers. The freedom I have gotten from being able to write what I wish has been an amazing experience. I always enjoyed writing for classes but I never thought I was good enough to be worth someone's time publicly. I have learned a lot about myself and about various things happening around me. I have gained a new perspective on the world and have been able to explore things that I had never thought about exploring. I have shared important subjects, views, and stories about myself and those around me. I have educated myself on a lot of things and hopefully a few others along the way. I hope that I have inspired people with my writing, for I have inspired myself by becoming aware of various ideas and experiences. Through writing I have learned a lot about life, I have seen things in different lights than I have before, and I have learned a lot about myself that I was blind to before. I have found myself and I can only hope that this article inspires someone, just one person, to find themselves as well. Writing is an amazing experience and sharing mine has been worth every fear. So whether you are a writer, an artist, a poet, or anything in between, share your story.