The author, Mavish Ahmed, a LUMS graduate, is an Instagram influencer and digital creator whose memoir describes her life as a daughter, wife, and mother.
‘On My Way: A Memoir’ poignantly explores all these roles. It is an addictive read, and every woman can relate to it.
Mavish Ahmed highlights the societal pressures she had to face. For instance, she was body-shamed for being too skinny. She also describes how she had to break away from a toxic relationship, how her second husband had to build a healthy relationship and the obstacles and challenges she had to face as a mother. As per its theme, the story of ‘On My Way: A Memoir’ is very Pakistani yet universal.
The book allows readers to pick up a lesson for something they can relate to, a perspective they’d like to change, or a deep-rooted belief they disagree with!
The change in Mavish Ahmed comes when she has to move to a foreign land, a completely alien country. It is here that Ahmed finds her true self. She has coffee mornings with friends, storytelling on Instagram, and sends her second child, Bano, to daycare, allowing her to create space for herself. These little steps turn her into a more positive person, allowing her to grow as an individual.
A significant theme in the novel is displacement. Ahmed feels that in the seven years she has been away from Pakistan, there hasn’t been a single moment or day when she hasn’t missed her home country. The language, food, and family are all things that one misses. However, the sense of diaspora and identity crisis is somewhat compensated for by finding new people and opportunities.
Ahmed’s writing is raw and reflective. She touches upon everything from the thankless labour women do every day to the pressures of being productive.
In a culture where marriage is often seen as a compromise and sacrifice, Ahmed presents a new perspective on it—it is a space of mutual growth, celebration, and companionship. Much like her Instagram blog, she talks candidly about conscious parenting, self-love, and mental health.
The book speaks to all the women out there who are struggling, whether in their marriage, motherhood, or careers. It questions the rigid gender norms created by society that dictate how women should live, think, and create. Mavish, through her words, encourages women and gives them the strength to create their own space, live their desires, and find joy in their journey wherever it may lead them.
When Mahvish Ahmed has to undergo a hysterectomy as the answer to choosing between life and death, her world topples. It means she can no longer have another child. The decision is difficult but necessary. The opportunity cost must be calculated, and in the end, Ahmed’s life mattered the most. However, her husband Faizan is very supportive, and that is what takes Mavish on this difficult journey. Through this episode, Ahmed reveals how both spouses have a healthy marriage.
‘On My Way: A Memoir’ is an “honest and searing account of one woman’s journey of stepping out of her comfort zone.”
The writer had to give up a lot for happiness to ensue, but in the end, she could find a balance between her personal space and her commitment to family.
The book is a must-read, at least for every woman, and the writer deserves appreciation for penning a beautiful and universally truthful book
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