I started writing for Odyssey last winter, and although at first I really had no clue what the experience was going to be like, I think that it's changed me in several ways. For the most part I didn't spend that much time writing creatively. I was too focused on other things, or at least that's what I told myself. Also, there were a lot of subjects that I was either afraid to write about or I simply wasn't ready for. Also, I never thought that I would be writing poetry, let alone publishing it for other people to see. Sure, there are weeks where I'm swamped and have no clue what to pull together for my article and then I start to feel a little resentful. Overall, however, I am having a great time, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Having said what I just said, here are some things that I love about Odyssey and some things that tend to bother me a little bit.

1. I'm Not Allowed To Use The Oxford Comma????

I've learned a lot about why I should stop being snobby about grammar, and I've let a lot of it go in the past year and a half. However, the oxford comma is so aesthetically pleasing to me that it causes me physical pain when I have to publish a sentence without it. Not gonna lie, I've broken the rule out of spite before...oops.

2. Sometimes I Forget That I Have To Share All Of This Stuff For The World To Read

It sounds dumb that I would neglect this part of the process, but sometimes I get a really great idea, and I write the piece, and then I realize that maybe it's hella vulnerable. Sometimes I go ahead and publish it anyway, but sometimes I have to refrain. There are some things that I need to write about but I know my social media followers won't be able to stomach....

3. I Write Creatively More Consistently

It feels really nice to give myself time every week to sit down and write something that's not a lab report or an English essay.

4. I'm Challenging Myself To Write Poetry

I've always avoided writing poetry because it never felt genuine. As soon as I stopped caring how it pleased other people and focused solely on what it meant to me, it was much more enjoyable. Now I just want to keep going with it.

5. I Find Myself Trying To Turn Everything Into An Odyssey Topic

Sometimes when I'm struggling to come up with something valuable to write about I sit and try to make everything into a topic. I always hope something good will come from a really dumb and obscure idea, but it never does. Honestly I just wait until a miracle hits me, and thank god it usually does.