Trace Zero

A new year is approaching—hard to believe it’s already 2025. My mind still lingers in 2020, but here we are. So, why not celebrate?

I’ve decided to revive my favorite hobby and start sharing my perspectives again—selectively, for those who might find them worthwhile.

A Flashback

A few years ago, I started Halawa.dev with the goal of publishing fine-tuned technical articles. In hindsight, it was an unrealistic approach. I’d spend days refining a single article, only to delete it out of dissatisfaction. The burden was self-imposed, and a few key factors led to this.

Perfectionism Curse!

Perfection is a myth. No matter how much you refine something, it will always have flaws—environments change, circumstances shift, and content eventually becomes outdated. This year, I’ve learned to favor pragmatism, efficiency, and simplicity over premature complexity.

If someone asked me to build a tool for adding numbers, I’d hand them an Abacus. But requirements dictate everything. The key is knowing when to stop adding unnecessary ingredients—because simplicity often makes the best meal.

The Ecosystem

What started as a simple blog on Hashnode later moved to WordPress—where productivity took a hit. It felt like cutting a cake with a sword. The system was powerful and customizable, but for me, that was a curse. I kept tweaking the site’s identity, straying from my original goal. In the end, none of the versions truly fit me.

Bloated Perspectives

The internet is bloated. Truly unique perspectives are rare—I could probably count them on my fingers. I once found myself adding to the noise, repeating what had already been said. But perspective matters.

The world thrives on variety. There isn’t just one manufacturer for calculators, and there isn’t just one way to present an idea. Each version resonates differently, serving some while missing others.

I used to think rewriting an existing idea was pointless, but it’s not. Readers value different angles. We’re wired to seek understanding through diverse explanations, mixing ideas to create new ones. But when content becomes an echo chamber, creativity dulls. Repetition is fine—stagnation isn’t.

The Ideas Flow

Moving to the Netherlands—a country I deeply admire—was both exciting and challenging. As a Middle Eastern expat, cultural differences shook my confidence at first, but over time, I adapted. The cold, both literal and figurative, became familiar. It’s an ongoing journey, and I’m grateful for what I’ve learned.

Exposure to different cultures reshapes how you think. Initially, I saw writing as a way to simplify ideas for others. But I’ve realized it’s more than that—it’s about questioning, refining, and making sense of things for yourself before sharing them.

Rigid thinking is a limitation. Ideas should be explored, not treated as fixed templates. In the age of Generative AI, what sets us apart is creativity, reasoning, and invention. Without that, we’re just another node in a system. I’ve been a minion. In some ways, I still am. But questioning is the first step to breaking free.

An Attempt

Learning from mistakes is inevitable—it’s how I make sense of the world. I wouldn’t call myself smart, just someone constantly questioning what, how, and why in every aspect of life. Looking back, these reflections emerged from that process.

Changes Over Time

As my understanding evolves, ideas constantly reshape themselves. I started calling these shifts traces—small imprints of learning over time. That’s how Trace in Time got its name.

No Promises

I can’t guarantee absolute correctness—what I share is more about perspectives than definitive answers. But I’ll do my best to validate the information. That said, I encourage you to check any references or resources linked in each article.

Criticism First

Constructive criticism is essential. I used to fear it, but experience taught me it’s the best way to refine my understanding. Sharing my perspectives is like version control for ideas—a way to track how my thinking evolves. So, if you’re passing by, feel free to drop a question or comment.

Green light

With my past attempt reflected on and this new direction defined, I’m more than ready—and genuinely excited—to begin. So, let’s get started!