Imagine sitting in a room full of people and feeling completely alone. Imagine feeling a lump in your throat and a rock in your chest so severe that you can't even breathe. This is something I battle on a daily basis.

Honestly, I can't even remember a time where I didn't suffer from anxiety. And when I tell you I've tried most, if not all, coping techniques, I'm not joking. However, about nine months ago, I saw an article on Facebook from Odyssey, that's when it all changed for me.

I figured I would give writing a try and I can say with all of my heart that giving Odyssey a chance was the greatest decision I could've ever made for myself. Not only did I make lifelong friends that I probably couldn't have made it through college without, but I learned the most important thing that will forever change my life. I learned that writing is the thing to help me cope with my anxiety. Odyssey helps me cope with my anxiety.

Immediately after joining, I felt such a sense of community and acceptance. It was something I hadn't known I was longing for, but something I now know I needed. The team was so understanding and I knew it was a place I needed to be. I no longer felt like an outcast. I had found my place and I was surrounded by an amazing team that I knew would always be there for me. The love I felt from everybody from day one is something I will never forget and it's something I know I can always rely on to get me through even my worst days.

Along with the strong sense of acceptance, I was able to create a safe place to share my thoughts and that alone helped me move mountains in coping with my anxiety. I could be having one of the worst days, having multiple attacks and barely being able to keep my eyes open. However, when I started writing that week's article, it's almost like all the negative thoughts going crazy in my mind just stood still. With each topic, I was able to silence another monster.

With each battle, I was able to turn my anxious thoughts and feelings into something beautiful. I turn those thoughts and feelings into words and can create something I am proud of. We all have our inner battles and none of us are perfect, but if I am able to help one person struggling with the same thing as me, then I've succeeded--that alone helps me more than any words can. But it's the use and manipulations of my words that give me the strength to keep pushing and keep moving forward. Thus, I am able to release my anxiety, breathe and live my life to my highest potential. Something I would've never thought of doing nine months back. All thanks to Odyssey and my amazing team.

So you could probably say that writing for Odyssey is something I would've never thought of as changing my life so greatly, though I am so glad that it did. I can also say with all of the truth in my heart that it was the greatest thing to happen to me. It gave me the acceptance I had always been longing for, as well as the strength I needed to confront my weaknesses and finally learn to cope with my anxiety. Even after my time writing for Odyssey is over, I will forever be grateful for everything that it has taught me about myself and my anxiety.

Writing for Odyssey saved my life.