ahvish Ahmed’s On My Way: A Memoir exposes numerous facets of the author’s life. An interesting aspect of the memoir is that it swiftly shifts from emotional nausea to self-help bulletin, at times becoming a relationship saviour and, ultimately, a guide to overcoming self-sabotaging behaviour. Ayesha Husain praises the book as “an engaging, thought-provoking and relevant story about self-exploration.” It discusses the havoc that unhealthy and toxic relationships can wreak on one’s self-esteem and identity. The author stresses the importance of breaking patterns of abuse and, ultimately, discovering what it means to be happy with oneself.

The memoir borders on being a self-help book, offering readers a chance to become comfortable with the idea of prioritising their own body, mind and self. One of its strengths is the comfort it provides – knowing that others have endured similarly challenging circumstances and emerged with a deeper understanding of what it means to be alive. Growing up under the immense influence of Bollywood, the memoir subverts the myth of finding pleasure in self-destructive practices and beliefs that many millennials have internalised. It teaches the skill of falling in love with oneself and, eventually, allowing the wonders of life to unfold before one’s eyes.

“When my younger self witnessed celebrities receiving awards and delivering acceptance speeches, I’d wonder if I’d do something worth such recognition,” writes Mahvish Ahmed – an Economics lecturer turned content creator, and mother to two beautiful girls. She enjoys writing, creating women-centric content on her Instagram blog, discovering beautiful nooks in Schaffhausen, observing nature, travelling and sipping warm coffee in cosy cafés.

The book urges the audience to take their lives back into their own hands and surpass any hijacking of self.

The memoir is rooted in the celebration of womanhood and the joy of embracing feminism. It instils hope for a brighter future in its readers, revealing numerous pathways to improvement and self-actualisation, with the author leading by example. The central character, Mahvish, breaks the learnt cycles of inherent misogyny and problematic societal expectations through her own life story. The narrative is relatable due to its culturally and socially ingrained context. With each chapter, an insurmountable and previously unrecognised weight seems to lift off the reader’s shoulders.

Although there are a few grammatical errors, the language and content remain accessible and deeply personal throughout. The author frequently employs code-switching, which adds an authentic and intimate touch. The reader is drawn into a strong sense of closeness with the author as she unravels her captivating journey through life. On My Way: A Memoir is ultimately about the act of becoming. It urges readers to reclaim their lives and transcend any hijacking of self. In many ways, the narrative liberates readers from the generational shackles of glorified abuse masquerading as romance and performative womanhood.

On My Way

A Memoir

Author: Mahvish Ahmed

Publisher: Liberty

Publishing, 2024

Pages: 201

Price: Rs2,295

The reviewer teaches at the Department of English Language and Literature at Kinnaird College, Lahore