The move from the bustling, familiar Karachi to a quiet Swiss town, whose name I had never heard of, was unsettling. Instead of engaging in intellectual talks in lecture theatres, my days were suddenly about laundry, cleaning, cooking with alien ingredients, and taking care of a demanding newborn. 

Initially unsure and unhappy, this new life enabled me to discover what I truly loved; writing and photography. I began sharing fashion tips and my experiences as a desi expat mom on Instagram. That space, initially relating the story of a woman trying to navigate a new way of life slowly morphed into a business. I transformed from merely a ‘trailing spouse’ into an entrepreneur. Building a business from scratch was emotionally rewarding as I got great feedback from women who found my posts inspiring. 

Today, I’ve made a name in the Pakistani influencer marketing industry. In parallel I help women find their personal style (and their self-confidence) through style consults and run a clothing line from Pakistan. Hosting trips to Switzerland and Holland is my latest venture, which I am thoroughly enjoying.

Along the way in my expat life, I have experimented, made my share of mistakes, and learnt from them. I believe in pausing to notice the small things, and reject the hustle culture. I am learning how to spend my time intentionally, engage with people who make me feel good about myself, and be a conscious parent. I love biryani, brownies and Bollywood. If life allows, I'd like to publish a book some day and retire in the Swiss Alps.

What is the inspiration behind Safarnamay?

During my career as an influencer, I have had the opportunity to interact with hundreds of desi women from all kinds of socio-economic backgrounds. Those interactions made me realize that our gender deals with a common problem - we are unbale to prioritize ourselves. We find nobility in sacrificing our needs and dreams for our families and those around us, to the extent that we feel burnt out and lose our own individual selves. 

These realizations led me to expand the thoughts I share on my blog into something practical that can help women get the break that they need. The idea is to create opportunities where women can travel together in safe female-only groups and focus on just themselves for a few days. Joining my trips/retreats allows one to enjoy a new country with likeminded women, share their personal experiences through open conversations, and learn from those of others. Together, we get to explore nature, observe architecture, indulge in photography, laugh lots, and relax. 

Doesn't it sound nice that for some time, you stop being the mother, the daughter, the wife, the employee, the boss, the woman who owes so many answers to the world, and just be? Travelling with new people can be a great way to disconnect from what is, and discover what can be. After hosting 5 such trips already, I can vouch for it! 

My goal is to make sure that everyone who joins my retreats goes home feeling rejuvenated and with the learning that we can only pour well for others when our own cups are full.