We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Saira Anwar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Saira below.
Saira , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My one and only desire has always been to help others in any way possible. My aim has always been to be a voice of support for women, especially those who have been through similar experiences to me.
I started writing poetry in May 2012 with the aim of sharing my life experiences and lessons with others to help them heal from similar experiences. Specifically writing about marriage, divorce, healing, self-love, and love. Two years later my debut poetry book, ‘The Death of a Beautiful Dream: A Poetry Collection,’ became a top 20 Amazon bestseller.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Before I dive into my story, I need to take you back to a pivotal moment in my life. Picture this: it’s 2011, and I’ve just received a marriage proposal from Australia. A dream was about to come true. I was swept off my feet by the promise of a new life in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Sunshine, fresh starts, and that beautiful Aussie accent everywhere. Who could resist?
But here’s where things took a turn. I got married within a month, ignoring advice telling me to slow down. And boy, did things unravel fast. What started as a dream quickly spiralled into a three-month-long nightmare. By the time I got back to the UK in October 2011, I felt like a shadow of myself. My confidence was shattered, and I was grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Nights were the worst – I’d often wake up crying or screaming. I shut myself away, not wanting to face the world or even chat with friends.
Then, something shifted. My brother, seeing the state I was in, suggested I try counselling. I was hesitant, but I went. And something amazing happened after that first session – I started writing. At first, it was just a way to process my therapy sessions, pouring all my tangled feelings and experiences onto paper. But then, it evolved into poetry.
That’s when it clicked for me. My journey through a failed marriage didn’t just end with a divorce; it led to the discovery of my voice as a poet. It was as if through the storm, I stumbled upon a hidden part of myself waiting to be unearthed.
So, I made a decision. I was going to take my poetry, my story, and share it with the world. I published a book and set up a website, not just as a creative outlet, but as a beacon for others navigating their own rough seas. Through my work, I delve into themes like marriage, divorce, healing, and the journey to self-love and understanding love anew.
My message is simple: through sharing our stories, we find common ground, healing, and maybe, just maybe, we help someone else feel a little less alone. That’s the power of turning our struggles into art.
I work as an educator in a school setting, specializing in supporting children with additional needs. My role involves helping students overcome any barriers they may experience with their learning. I assist and support teaching and learning within the classroom, prepare and maintain teaching resources, and deliver small group interventions and support.
I love being part of a committed team that works hard every day to keep children happy, safe, secure, and supported. I am very proud of how resilient the children are and their ability to challenge themselves to be the best they can be.
I am most proud of the positive impact I have had on children. Seeing them flourish, grow, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals year after year brings me immense joy and fulfilment.
What sets me apart from others is that I am bilingual. I speak English, Punjabi, and Urdu fluently, which helps children who speak another language to access lessons and supports ESL students in understanding and participating fully in the classroom.
My growth didn’t end there. I have spent 12 years writing poetry, publishing my own book, engaging in public speaking, performing publicly, and building an online community. I express my passion for teaching and learning through content creation and live sessions on social media. Additionally, I have participated in poetry workshops as a poet and assisted in extracurricular classes as a teaching assistant. I have also volunteered and led teams at a local charity.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to inspire others through my poetry, showing that there is life after heartbreak and emotional turmoil. I aim to be a voice of support for women, especially those who have had similar experiences to mine. Through sharing my life experiences and lessons, I hope to help others heal and find strength in their own journeys.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My journey has been marked by the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. My faith has been my anchor, allowing me to navigate challenges with determination, patience, and a positive mindset. I am deeply grateful to my Creator, who has guided me throughout my life. It is through His guidance that I have been transformed into the person I am today, tested, rebuilt, and led towards the light. It was during these times of testing that I discovered my hidden talent for poetry, which has become my path in the poetry scene and passion.
Patience has been a cornerstone of my resilience. It has helped me develop emotional strength, allowing me to navigate the ups and downs of my journey with grace. My faith has taught me to be patient, manage my expectations, and understand that everything happens in God’s timing. I have learned to see hardships as learning opportunities, embracing them as part of the growth process. Through this, I have been able to maintain a positive outlook and continue moving forward, sharing my journey and my poetry to inspire others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sairaanwar.co.uk
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sairathepoet
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sairathepoet
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saira-anwar-6b2331232?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/sairathepoet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sairathepoet
- Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/sairathepoet
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@sairathepoethttps://www.tiktok.com/@sairathepoet?_t=8lRf9p3rZqL&_r=1 ,
http://getbook.at/sairaanwar https://sairathepoet.substack.com