Balancing mind, body and soul
Aamna Haider Isani on juggling people, home and work.
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Being Karachista
I never intended to become an influencer. Picture this: a quintessential geek, cripplingly shy – the sort who hides behind her book in the schoolyard. Had you told me that girl would end up making videos for a quarter of a million people five times a week, she would have called for the men in white coats.
Becoming an influencer was about as straightforward as knitting spaghetti. I went from a physics degree at Oxford to a career in steel trading and financial management and then took a sharp turn into fashion and lifestyle journalism.
The catalyst? A conscious decision to have a more flexible work life in order to be a hands-on mum. And while I never dreamed I would be comfortable on camera, here I am, loving a job that makes every day different and interesting.
Now, I’m a morning person; I thrive in the early hours. Living in Pakistan, though, has its challenges since the day kicks off later here. Shops and markets don’t open until 11 or 12, by which time I have been up for hours. After the school drop-off, I like to start my day with a walk. Although Karachi has only a few green spaces, they are glorious in the early morning. Breakfast is sacred; whether at home or out with fellow early birds, I savour it.
My mornings are a whirlwind of admin tasks, both domestic and work-related. Grocery shopping, household accounts, invoicing, video editing and connecting with freelancers. I tackle it all. I also dedicate time to memorising the Quran, something I started a few years ago with a friend. Progress is slow but incredibly rewarding. Then it’s a mad dash to film what I can before the school run at one p.m.
I try to squeeze in video shoots – market stories, recipes, collabs – between 11 a.m. and one p.m. The school run is a precious window to catch up on my youngest’s day. My older two are at university in the States, so catching up with them involves a complex dance of time zones and timetables.
Afternoons depend on whether there is football practice, projects or play dates. If junior is at football, I will steal some filming time. Otherwise, I fit my work around his schedule. Juggling work-life balance is easier now that the kids are older, but I managed a similar routine when they were younger, even through two sets of CIES. Motherhood has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life and prioritising family over work was a conscious choice, especially as my husband has a high-pressure job. The flexibility of Karachista lets me spend time with my kids, travel and pick and choose my work.
Karachista is more than a fashion or lifestyle page. It is a deliberate effort to show the brighter side of life in Karachi and Pakistan.
The international media only notices Pakistan when there is sensational negative news. But then look at any local newspaper, and it’s mostly doom and gloom. I love providing a counterpoint, talking about food, travel, fashion, home interiors and all the ways people make their lives beautiful. It is about reminding people, at home and abroad, that we are just like everyone else. Many have told me that my page shows them that “Karachi ke halaat” are not as bad as they seem. Karachista also helps the diaspora reconnect with life in Karachi, which is a privilege.
Four times a week, my evenings start with a workout with Naseer Khan. He has been training my husband and I for three years, with a mix of strength training and cardio. When we started, I had the muscle strength of a cooked noodle: press-ups against the wall, complaining about two-kilogramme weights. Now, I can do full press-ups and bench press a decent weight, and many of the aches and pains I thought were age-related have simply melted away, Alhamdulillah.
Speaking of gratitude and taqwa, prayer is a constant in my day. It has been since childhood, although I used to miss prayers sometimes. About 10 years ago, I read that doing something for 66 days makes it a habit. I wanted to be more consistent with my prayers, so I made that my challenge and it became a daily habit. Prayer anchors me, and going to the jamatkhana regularly and giving back to my community is a big part of that. I love that my community is all about volunteering and uplifting society.
Dinner is generally a family affair, though hubby and I are lucky to have a fab circle of friends we meet up with regularly. After dinner, it’s our time to unwind – we binge watch shows we both love. If he’s out, I might dive into a K-drama, but I am more likely to be found with my nose in a book. Despite my day sounding like a marathon, I always carve out time to read. I usually have a couple of books on the go, and getting lost in a good story is my ultimate way to relax and recharge.
Salima Feerasta, aka Karachista, is one of Pakistan’s first lifestyle influencers. karachista@gmail.com
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The catalyst? A conscious decision to have a more flexible work life in order to be a hands-on mum. And while I never dreamed I would be comfortable on camera, here I am, loving a job that makes every day different and interesting.
Now, I’m a morning person; I thrive in the early hours. Living in Pakistan, though, has its challenges since the day kicks off later here. Shops and markets don’t open until 11 or 12, by which time I have been up for hours. After the school drop-off, I like to start my day with a walk. Although Karachi has only a few green spaces, they are glorious in the early morning. Breakfast is sacred; whether at home or out with fellow early birds, I savour it.
My mornings are a whirlwind of admin tasks, both domestic and work-related. Grocery shopping, household accounts, invoicing, video editing and connecting with freelancers. I tackle it all. I also dedicate time to memorising the Quran, something I started a few years ago with a friend. Progress is slow but incredibly rewarding. Then it’s a mad dash to film what I can before the school run at one p.m.
I try to squeeze in video shoots – market stories, recipes, collabs – between 11 a.m. and one p.m. The school run is a precious window to catch up on my youngest’s day. My older two are at university in the States, so catching up with them involves a complex dance of time zones and timetables.
Afternoons depend on whether there is football practice, projects or play dates. If junior is at football, I will steal some filming time. Otherwise, I fit my work around his schedule. Juggling work-life balance is easier now that the kids are older, but I managed a similar routine when they were younger, even through two sets of CIES. Motherhood has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life and prioritising family over work was a conscious choice, especially as my husband has a high-pressure job. The flexibility of Karachista lets me spend time with my kids, travel and pick and choose my work.
Karachista is more than a fashion or lifestyle page. It is a deliberate effort to show the brighter side of life in Karachi and Pakistan.
The international media only notices Pakistan when there is sensational negative news. But then look at any local newspaper, and it’s mostly doom and gloom. I love providing a counterpoint, talking about food, travel, fashion, home interiors and all the ways people make their lives beautiful. It is about reminding people, at home and abroad, that we are just like everyone else. Many have told me that my page shows them that “Karachi ke halaat” are not as bad as they seem. Karachista also helps the diaspora reconnect with life in Karachi, which is a privilege.
Four times a week, my evenings start with a workout with Naseer Khan. He has been training my husband and I for three years, with a mix of strength training and cardio. When we started, I had the muscle strength of a cooked noodle: press-ups against the wall, complaining about two-kilogramme weights. Now, I can do full press-ups and bench press a decent weight, and many of the aches and pains I thought were age-related have simply melted away, Alhamdulillah.
Speaking of gratitude and taqwa, prayer is a constant in my day. It has been since childhood, although I used to miss prayers sometimes. About 10 years ago, I read that doing something for 66 days makes it a habit. I wanted to be more consistent with my prayers, so I made that my challenge and it became a daily habit. Prayer anchors me, and going to the jamatkhana regularly and giving back to my community is a big part of that. I love that my community is all about volunteering and uplifting society.
Dinner is generally a family affair, though hubby and I are lucky to have a fab circle of friends we meet up with regularly. After dinner, it’s our time to unwind – we binge watch shows we both love. If he’s out, I might dive into a K-drama, but I am more likely to be found with my nose in a book. Despite my day sounding like a marathon, I always carve out time to read. I usually have a couple of books on the go, and getting lost in a good story is my ultimate way to relax and recharge.
Salima Feerasta, aka Karachista, is one of Pakistan’s first lifestyle influencers. karachista@gmail.com
Read Comments
Related Stories
The international media only notices Pakistan when there is sensational negative news. But then look at any local newspaper, and it’s mostly doom and gloom. I love providing a counterpoint, talking about food, travel, fashion, home interiors and all the ways people make their lives beautiful. It is about reminding people, at home and abroad, that we are just like everyone else. Many have told me that my page shows them that “Karachi ke halaat” are not as bad as they seem. Karachista also helps the diaspora reconnect with life in Karachi, which is a privilege.
Four times a week, my evenings start with a workout with Naseer Khan. He has been training my husband and I for three years, with a mix of strength training and cardio. When we started, I had the muscle strength of a cooked noodle: press-ups against the wall, complaining about two-kilogramme weights. Now, I can do full press-ups and bench press a decent weight, and many of the aches and pains I thought were age-related have simply melted away, Alhamdulillah.
Speaking of gratitude and taqwa, prayer is a constant in my day. It has been since childhood, although I used to miss prayers sometimes. About 10 years ago, I read that doing something for 66 days makes it a habit. I wanted to be more consistent with my prayers, so I made that my challenge and it became a daily habit. Prayer anchors me, and going to the jamatkhana regularly and giving back to my community is a big part of that. I love that my community is all about volunteering and uplifting society.
Dinner is generally a family affair, though hubby and I are lucky to have a fab circle of friends we meet up with regularly. After dinner, it’s our time to unwind – we binge watch shows we both love. If he’s out, I might dive into a K-drama, but I am more likely to be found with my nose in a book. Despite my day sounding like a marathon, I always carve out time to read. I usually have a couple of books on the go, and getting lost in a good story is my ultimate way to relax and recharge.
Salima Feerasta, aka Karachista, is one of Pakistan’s first lifestyle influencers. karachista@gmail.com