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“Can We Talk About How Exhausting It Is to Always Be ‘Better’ Than Someone?”
Misha’s POVThey say comparison is the thief of joy.In my family, it’s practically tradition. I’m Misha.Founder of my own marketing agency.Mentor to women across the country trying to learn SEO.Self-made, no shortcuts, no safety nets. But none of that matters at family dinners.Because I’m not Riya. Riya, the corporate darling.Chartered accountant.Supposedly “so much more ahead” in life than me. What they don’t know is —I’ve seen her.At the club where I used to work as a bouncer.Slurring her words,Grinding on strangers she won’t remember,Crying in the bathroom stall because life isn’t what she promised herself. You say she’s better?Then why is she the one who calls her mum at 2AM…
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“Why We Tear Each Other Down Instead of Lifting Each Other Up”
Ruqayya and Ramsha are twin sisters, but not in the usual sense. Their lives have been intertwined since birth, and yet, the comparisons never seem to stop. Growing up in a South Asian family where being perfect was the expectation, Ruqayya always stood out as the one who excelled in everything—academics, social life, and even relationships. On the other hand, Ramsha, though bright and talented in her own way, always seemed to fall short of her family’s expectations. Despite the constant pressure to be like her sister, Ramsha found herself struggling to meet the standards set by her parents and others around her. While Ruqayya’s accomplishments were celebrated, Ramsha’s perceived…
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“Is It Really Love If We’re Always Competing?” – Competitive Friendships Among South Asian Women
Introduction: Laiba and Alishka had been best friends since childhood, growing up side by side through thick and thin. Their bond was unshakeable, formed on trust, laughter, and unconditional support. But as they grew older, their families began to compare them—who was more successful, who was better at academics, who had the better social circle. Slowly, this comparison began to undermine the strength of their friendship. But Laiba wasn’t about to let that happen. She decided it was time to stand up, not only for herself but for her friendship with Alishka, and remind her parents of something vital: Allah SWT didn’t create our lives to be a competition. Laiba’s…
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“Passed Down Pride: How Family Comparisons Shaped My Competitive Mindset”
Two Sisters, One Story Told Two Different Ways Meera and Diya. In the eyes of their extended family, they couldn’t have been more different. Meera was the poster child for “how a beti should be.”Married at the right time, in the right outfit, to the right man. A corporate success with the “perfect” smile. Her photos were the kind that got printed and framed in the living room. Diya was… chaos, according to them.Loud, vibrant, independent. Too many parties, too many piercings, too many questions. Tattoos, cropped tops, and an open refusal to get married. The irony? They were both just trying to survive a system that told them their…
Daughters of Strength, Bosses by Choice