When I am getting to know a person, usually the conversation revolves around the questions of, "Where are you from?" "What's your major?" "Are you involved in anything?" One thing that I always choose to tell people is that I write for Odyssey, which usually generates the "That's so cool," or "I don't think I could ever do that" response.

It wasn't until I got the response of, "Oh yeah, the website that every college girl writes sad articles about their ex-boyfriend for." At first, I kind of laughed it off and agreed with the person, but the more I thought about it, the more it angered me. I don't write for Odyssey to rant about my ex-boyfriend or about how my anxiety runs my life — I write for Odyssey to make a difference.

I write for Odyssey because it is a way for my small 5'2' voice to be heard. My friends and family will describe me as being a loud person and one who is not afraid of sharing her opinion, but that only goes so far. When I am having a conversation with someone, my opinion is only being shared with a few other people; whereas, if I am writing for Odyssey, my opinion is being shared with thousands of other people.

I am not hoping to change other people's opinions or influence them to change in any sort of way, I simply hope to enlighten them about the facts and reality of my opinion.

I write for Odyssey to make an impact, not only in my own life but in other peoples lives. Looking back on some of the content I have written, I am proud to have shared all the things about my life that I have shared.

I am proud of myself when I look back and see that I had the courage to share my depression and anxiety with the world. It helped me to open up to someone other than my own family and my therapist in a 4x4 room; and in the end, I hoped it helped someone else other than me.

I write for Odyssey to express myself; I write to show people the way I see the world with color. I write to better myself and spread color throughout social media at the same time. I hope to put out content that is different than your everyday drab headline.

I own the fact that I have chosen to write for Odyssey, and I am not scared of what anyone might think of that choice. Yes, Odyssey is full of articles about plenty of ex-boyfriends, it is also full of endless articles that are inspiring, that demonstrate courage, that gives a voice to the voiceless, and simply expresses color.

So yes, I write for Odyssey. I have written an article ranting about my boyfriend, as well as an article about how anxiety runs my life, but I made a difference doing so.