s I settled into my chair last Monday morning, the blinding glare of office lights cast a harsh contrast against the theme of International Women’s Day: Inspire Inclusion. It’s a reminder of the journey ahead for women like me navigating through the corridors of advertising, media, PR and strategic communications.

Growing up, I was encouraged to believe the world was my oyster. The reality of breaking barriers in corporate Pakistan was a far more intricate maze than I could have imagined.

One of the early lessons I learnt was about the gender dynamics at play. Being a woman in this industry means steering through a maze where the rules are always changing. Refusing to shrink into the background, I spoke up, ensuring my voice was heard amidst the din. I demanded to be included.

However, it’s not just the men in suits I had to contend with; sometimes, it was fellow women. Women pitted against one another, perpetuating stereotypes and hindering progress, is a peculiar situation. Yet, I want to believe in sisterhood, knowing that supporting one another is key to achieving success, and sometimes survival. I am trying to inspire inclusion.

An introvert, I often find solace in solitude, but as a corporate cog, I need to be in constant interaction. It’s a balancing act between my innate tendencies and the extroverted nature of my profession. Yet, I survive, thrive even, through the paradoxes of this existential crisis.

Being a Pakistani woman adds another layer of complexity to the mix. There’s an unspoken expectation to conform to stereotypes — to be serene (read: submissive), demure (easy) and obedient (“good girl”). But with rebelliousness running in my DNA, I’ll wear my confidence like a badge of honour; thank you very much.

And let’s not forget about the double standards. It’s like I’m expected to be a superwoman — juggling a successful career, a thriving social life and a Pinterest-worthy home, enjoying Instagrammable vacations, all while looking flawless 24/7. But you know what? I’ll be messy; I’ll be imperfect; and I’ll be damn proud of it.

The two roles are rather similar — both require grit, determination and a healthy dose of humour to survive. Both require breaking a few glass ceilings along the way. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than proving the naysayers wrong — one stiletto-clad step at a time.

For all the challenges and frustrations, there are moments of triumph and joy that make it all worthwhile, like the feeling you get when you land that big client, or the rush of adrenaline when you see your campaign come to life. It is moments like these that remind me why I do what I do — because despite all the frustration, I wouldn’t trade this chaotic world for anything else.

Just when I thought I had mastered the art of corporate warfare, I found myself plunged into another battlefield — parenting two kids. It’s like being handed a brief for the most demanding client imaginable, except this one doesn’t come with a paycheck or an exit strategy.

Needless to say, I was in for a wild ride. It’s a world where sleepless nights and vomit are the normal; and where the concept of personal space becomes a distant memory. Sound familiar? It’s the corporate world on steroids, with chaos thrown in for good measure.

As I navigate the highs and lows of both these roles, I can’t help but draw parallels. Both require a certain level of finesse, resilience and the ability to think on your feet.

There’s no shortage of unsolicited advice in both these roles. Everyone from your nosy neighbour to your well-meaning mother-in-law has an opinion on how you should raise your kids. But at the end of the day, you have to trust your instincts and do what’s best, even if it means tuning out the noise.

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, your toddler decides to throw a curveball — quite literally, in some cases. It’s a constant game of trial and error, where flexibility is key and perfection is a pipe dream.

The two roles are rather similar — both require grit, determination and a healthy dose of humour to survive. Both require breaking a few glass ceilings along the way. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than proving the naysayers wrong — one stiletto-clad step at a time.

The writer is the head of content at a communications agency