Breaking Generational Curses Series - Part 2

"We are all refugees from our childhoods. And so, we turn, among other things, to stories"
                                                                                      -Mohsin Hamid, How To Get Rich In Rising Asia


Generational Curse #1: Narcissism

    If you search the word Narcissism, thousands on inquiry results will come up. Narcissism is a Hot Topic everywhere, having a rampant and negative effect in dating, politics, culture and family life. Yet, there is no one definition to define Narcissism because it means different things to different people. In my series, I will touch upon Narcissism from my personal life experiences and how they have been shaped through being part of a household run amuck with Narcissistic Parents.


Year 1993: I am born in Lahore, Punjab at CMH. 

Lahore is a bustling metropolitan even back in the 90's. And the 80's. Plus all the way back in to the 40's when Pakistan separated from India. Once India and Pakistan separated, the effects of colonization aside, the wealth once again accumulated to the 1% richest families in Pakistan.

In Lahore, you are either somebody or nobody.

No matter who you are in Lahore, the ideal goal is to land in the top 1%. One of my favourite Pakistani authors, Mohsin Hamid often talks about this shared ideal along the Pakistani working and "middle class". Getting to the top 1% of richest families in Lahore would mean having invitations to the hottest clubs, parties, weddings and running with the elite circles of families. It is a pipe dream sold at the expense of people's sanities. It is also a breeding ground for resentment, unethical business competition and last but not least:- Narcissism. Growing up in Lahore was part of my childhood trauma. You pay a huge price to grow up in a half-cement and half-brick city. One of the biggest costs is not food or shelter, but in fact handing over a huge part of my psyche to keep the pipe dreams of its occupants alive.