I started writing poetry when I was around thirteen years old; I wrote whenever I felt that I needed to express myself or the ideas trapped in my mind. After years of reading different types of literature, I had decided to invest in my own creations. Writing then became my biggest passion and a huge part of my identity. As a teenage girl with self-identity issues, this was a huge step in the right direction for me. Before poetry, I felt that I had no purpose, no true goals or aspirations that were unique to me. Now I have more certainty in myself and in my future. Not only has poetry helped me get in tune with my own emotions, but I have been able to tend to the needs of others through our shared love for creative writing. All in all, poetry has led me down a beautiful avenue of self awareness. As a more reserved person, I have learned to open up and become more involved with life around me. During high school, I became more involved with clubs and extracurriculars than I had ever been. Now, fast forward to my sophomore year of college, and I'm now using my favorite hobby to host poetry slams and open mic events. I love poetry because it allows to me explore my love for literature and grow confidence in my writing. I feel that writing is a way for me to connect with other people who share the same appreciation for poetry as I do.