In her beautifully written memoir On My Way, economics lecturer turned content creator Mahvish Ahmed invites readers into a deeply reflective journey as she navigates the challenges of life as an expat mom. The candidly written and evocative memoir, brings forth the warmth and exuberance of a young mom’s voice based on Mahwash’s life experiences in an unknown land.
As you turn the pages, Mahvish offers readers an insightful glimpse into her inner world—her insecurities and self-esteem issues as a young girl trying to figure out adulthood in a conservative society—and how those raw and relatable incidents later helped build her confidence and shape her life.
Letting go of a toxic, manipulative relationship, moving on and finding Mr. Right, settling down with him in a foreign land, and navigating the struggles of first-time parenthood coupled with the horrors of a life-threatening hysterectomy, Mahwish keeps the reader engaged with her witty, lucid prose and easy-going expression.
Through thought-provoking essays and vignettes from her life, On My Way captures the subtle emotional complexities of womanhood, motherhood, and the quiet resilience it takes to start over in an unfamiliar place.
As a mom of two, I could relate to the emotional roller coaster of motherhood.
There is so much emotional truth in the segments where the author shares her frustrations about receiving unsolicited advice as a first-time mom, how society’s taunts and judgments suffocated her sense of self-worth, and how she regained her sense of identity and purpose in a place thousands of miles away from her hometown.
I do admit that some chapters tend to read more like a blog, and the self-help narrative starts to become a bit monotonous and repetitive in places. However, the pace slows down at times to match the introspective, meditative tone of the book, like a subtle call for women to pause, breathe, and reflect—to carve out some well-deserved “me time” from their never-ending to-do lists and find peace and purpose in their lives.
While some chapters meander, the gentle wisdom of a mom who cares shines through, making it the kind of book that gradually grows on you.
Brimming with anecdotes and vivid details of daily life, the book offers an unfiltered, intimate glimpse into Mahvish’s world and, in many places, feels like a warm hug to immigrant women seeking comfort in the shared vulnerability of a mom learning to navigate motherhood in a foreign land.
I found the book helpful because Mahvish touches upon sensitive topics, such as understanding child psychology, in a casual, conversational way rather than the typical textbook style, which would feel boring for someone like me. The fact that it is entirely her perspective and the lessons she has learned as a parent lends the book an authentic touch.
Another neglected issue that Mahvish highlights in her memoir is the topic of mental health and well-being. As a woman juggling myriad roles with no time for self-care, I strongly feel this is often ignored. In the process of pleasing everyone around us, women tend to push themselves toward an irreversible kind of burnout. On that note, Mahvish recounts how her therapist encouraged her to take some time off for herself and cater to her own whims and wishes.
Constantly meeting the demands of young children can take not just a physical but also an emotional toll on a mom. A little bit of dedicated “me time” can be just the breather and boost we sometimes need to keep going. Unfortunately, our society has conditioned moms to believe that only a selfless, self-sacrificing mother is deemed worthy of unconditional respect, so many women deny themselves the liberty of self-care out of guilt. As Mahvish aptly phrases it, it feels like being “trapped and handcuffed in your own mental jail.” Such a poignant point to ponder.
Fond of traveling and sightseeing myself, I really enjoyed reading how Mahvish’s life in Switzerland unfolded. The paragraphs where she describes the breathtakingly beautiful Schaffhausen, with its fairytale vibes tucked away in the foothills of the Alps along the Rhine River, studded with quaint squares, Baroque-style buildings, rustic cobblestone streets, and the delightful Swiss summer, were a literal treat. In those moments, the author awakened a deep sense of wanderlust within me, transporting me to a dreamy town adorned with pretty flowers, colorful ice cream carts, and strawberry kiosks, with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked pastries and croissants wafting from local cafes. Among other things I could relate to as a mother was the bliss of enjoying a steaming cup of coffee in perfect solitude while the kids were at school.
As someone who has always dreamed of building a home in a cozy little town, far away from the expectations and judgments of our society, Mahvish’s memoir stirred something deep within me. Her reflections on crafting a life as an expat, especially the quiet joy of creating a home away from home, felt like my unspoken desires put into words. It wasn’t just her story; it felt like a peek into my wish list, and that’s what made me connect with the book instantly.
I found On My Way to be an enchanting, refreshing, and soulful read—something I can revisit whenever I feel alone in my motherhood journey. Though I do wish the author had not ended it so abruptly, it is a book that will linger in your mind long after you have finished it.
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