They say time flies when you're having fun, and I think there's some truth in that. As Oman Daily Observer celebrates its 45th anniversary on November 15, I find myself looking back at my journey with the newspaper. I started writing for the Observer in 2020, and here I am, six years later, still enjoying it. What began as an opportunity to share my thoughts has become something I truly value.
To be honest, I cannot remember exactly how it started. If my memory serves me right, it was my good friend Raymond Petersen, who also writes for the Observer, who introduced me to the newspaper. Perhaps Raymond saw a writer in me before I saw one in myself! Raymond, if you're reading this, thank you. And don't worry, I haven't run out of things to write about yet!
When I started, I didn't know where this journey would take me. I've always enjoyed reading and learning, and writing gave me another reason to do both. I don't consider myself an expert in everything I write about. Far from it. Often, I choose a topic because something has caught my attention and I want to understand it better. The more I learn, the more I realise how much I still don't know.
Writing isn't always easy. Sometimes, an idea comes while I'm reading, talking to someone or going about my day. Other times, I sit in front of my computer wondering what to write about. Even with a good idea, finding the right words takes time. I write something, change it, read it again and occasionally decide the first version was better. I suppose that's part of the fun!
Over the years, I've enjoyed writing about Oman, education, science, history, human behaviour and everyday life. What I like most is following my curiosity. Sometimes, I start researching one question and discover something unexpected. That's one of the nicest things about writing. It keeps me interested and learning.
I also like knowing that something I write at home, maybe with a cup of coffee beside me, might be read by someone I've never met. That person may agree, disagree or have a different view. That's fine. Life would be boring if we all agreed on everything! If an article makes someone stop and think, I'm happy.
A lot has changed since 2020, especially how people read the news. When my articles appear in the Observer, I can share them on Facebook and reach people who might never buy a printed newspaper. Some read on their phones, others on the newspaper's website, and some still prefer paper. I like having these choices.
People ask whether newspapers can survive social media. But I think we're asking the wrong question. The Observer itself is on Facebook, Instagram and X, and has a website and mobile app. Newspapers are already part of the digital world. They've simply found new ways to reach people. Times change, and we have to change with them.
I enjoy social media, but sometimes everything seems to move too fast. A story appears, people comment, and soon everyone has moved on. Have we understood what we were discussing? Have we checked the information? Being first to share something doesn't always mean being right. Sometimes, we need to slow down and think.
That's why I still value newspapers. When I write a column, I can take time to read, think and consider different views. I'm not trying to win arguments or collect likes. I want to share something readers might find useful. Behind every article are editors, journalists and others working to provide information readers can trust. I appreciate their efforts, even though much happens behind the scenes.
Sometimes, I look back at my old articles and wonder whether I'd write them differently today. Probably! We all learn and change. There's nothing wrong with changing our minds when we discover something new. I'd be more worried if I still thought exactly the same way I did six years ago.
I'm grateful to the Observer for giving me the opportunity to write and to its editors for their support. I'm also thankful to everyone who reads my articles. Without readers, there wouldn't be much point in writing, would there? And I haven't forgotten Raymond. What may have been a simple introduction has become a lovely part of my life.
As the Observer celebrates this anniversary, I wish everyone associated with it continued success. I hope it keeps growing and reaching new readers. Whether we read on paper or a screen doesn't matter much to me. What matters is that we can trust what we read and learn something from it.
As for me, I hope to keep writing as long as I have something interesting to share or a question worth exploring. Six years later, I still enjoy starting with an idea and seeing where it takes me. Perhaps that's the best thing the Observer has given me: not just a place to share what I know, but a reason to keep discovering what I don't.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
