I have never been a good writer. My father, the former Director of Literature for the National Endowment for the Arts, was always a little peeved that I didn't have a knack for writing like I did for numbers. I have never religiously kept a diary either.

I first started recognizing the benefits of writing through a journal I kept at work. I realized that I would be much more efficient at work if I kept a good journal detailing events that took place each day, conversations I had, things I learned, and things I needed to do the next day. Taking that 5 minutes at the end of each work day to reflect on the events of the morning and afternoon allowed me to organize myself and become more productive. Later I realized I could have the same organizational benefits in my personal life through writing. I had thoughts and ideas and memories that were important to me, so I began jotting down in the notes app on my phone. It allowed me to become organized not just in my educational and professional life, but also in my personal life, which I had never put any emphasis on. Journaling greatly reduced stress in all sectors of my life. At this point however, I still wasn't serious about writing for an audience.

The first time I seriously considered writing publicly was when my college began an Odyssey chapter. After hearing about Odyssey's platform, I decided to pursue the opportunity so I could challenge myself and it has been a great decision.

What I truly enjoy about writing is that it is an effective platform to reflect on your values and beliefs and sort through your thoughts. When I sit down to write an article, I never know how it will turn out. I begin with a little idea or a feeling and I am forced to look deeper into myself and explore my thoughts and emotions. Through writing, I am able to connect with myself and I have learned so much about my values through my writing journey.

Writing for an audience further challenges me to be a better person. Writing for others pushes me to express myself clearly and I have been able to grow and progress my communication skills. A lot of thought must go into writing an article to be read by others. Through publishing pieces, I have also learned confidence in myself and my beliefs. I am opening myself for criticism from the world. The feedback, critiques, and support I receive from readers challenges me to further investigate my beliefs and often provides perspectives that change my views on topics, or further solidify my values.

Through writing, I grow.