About the author:
Ankith S Kumar is a mental health professional with a deep passion for helping young minds navigate life’s complexities. With a Master’s degree in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, he has worked extensively with adolescents, guiding them through psycho-social challenges with empathy and insight.
A certified NLP practitioner, Emergency First Aid Responder and Instructor, and trained Yoga practitioner, Ankith brings a unique blend of science, mindfulness, and practical wisdom to his work. He has served as a teacher, trainer, counsellor, and life skills coach to over 1,000 students in both para-medical and engineering institutions.
A TEDx speaker and experienced facilitator, Ankith has conducted more than 300 training sessions for students, parents, teachers, and the public — covering topics like mental well-being, personality development, life skills, and social awareness. He has previously worked at Dr. M.V. Shetty College of Social Work and Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, and is currently a Counsellor at the prestigious NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte (Deemed to be University).
Though psychology is his first love, Ankith’s curiosity extends into classical literature, folklore, spirituality, mysticism, medicine, and forensic science. He considers himself a lifelong learner — a student of life, in the classroom of time.
His first book, 100 Ways How Not to Screw Up Your Relationship, is available online.
“I, Unfiltered “is his second book, written for the younger generation to rediscover and re-invent themselves in a filtered world.
You can reach him at ankith12kumar@gmail.com with your feedback or thoughts.
Q1: What was the first “unfiltered” moment that sparked the idea for this book?
Answer: The first “unfiltered” moment happened during one of my counselling sessions with a student who simply said, “I don’t know who I am anymore — I feel like I’m performing for everyone, all the time.” That line hit me hard. And it made me realize — so many of us, especially young people, are stuck in this cycle of self-curation instead of self-discovery. We’re constantly editing ourselves — online, offline, emotionally — to fit in, to be accepted, to not be judged. But in the process, we forget who we really are. That moment became a spark. I started writing down the thoughts, questions, reflections, and realizations I wish more people felt safe enough to express. I — Unfiltered was born from that need: To create a space where we don’t have to pretend, polish, or perform. Just think. Feel. Question. And be.
Q2: You describe this as not a guide, but a conversation with yourself. Why that approach?
Answer: Because most of us don’t need more advice — we need space to hear ourselves. There are already enough books and posts telling people how to live, fix themselves, glow up, or hustle better. But no one really teaches us how to sit with our own thoughts, how to question gently, or how to listen when our inner voice whispers instead of shouts. So I didn’t want this to be another “do this, don’t do that” guide. I wanted it to feel like those 2 AM moments — when it’s just you, your thoughts, your chaos, and that strange clarity that sometimes comes in silence. I — Unfiltered is a book where the reader isn’t being taught — they’re being invited. To reflect. To ask. To answer. To pause. Because in the end, the most powerful conversations are the ones we have with ourselves.
And I just wanted to hold space for that.
Q3: When did you first start writing these reflections? Were they spontaneous or planned?
Answer:
Honestly, they started spontaneously, like mental voice notes to myself.It wasn’t part of some big plan to write a book. It began with small moments: after a counselling session, during a late-night walk, or when I was just overwhelmed by a thought that wouldn’t leave me. I’d jot things down in my phone, in random notebooks, or even while stuck in traffic. Most of these reflections were raw — just me processing emotions, questions, or realizations. Over time, I noticed a pattern: the things I was writing weren’t just mine — they were universal. They were the same thoughts I heard from students, friends, and even strangers who were just trying to make sense of themselves in a chaotic, hyper-filtered world. That’s when I knew — these reflections weren’t just personal therapy.
They were conversations worth sharing. So yes, it started spontaneously. But once I saw the impact these thoughts had — even in small circles — I knew it was time to bring them together into something bigger.
Q4: Did you ever feel like you were writing for someone else, or was it always just for yourself?
Answer:
In the beginning, I was definitely writing for myself — to untangle thoughts, calm the noise, and just feel heard without needing anyone else to understand. It was like journaling with no filter, no pressure. But somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t alone in these thoughts.
The self-doubt, the existential spiral, the craving for authenticity — I was hearing the same things in students’ voices, in quiet conversations with friends, and even in the silence of people who didn’t know how to say it out loud. That’s when something shifted. I started writing for someone else too —Not for the crowd, but for that one person who might read a line and feel less alone. Someone who needed a reminder that it’s okay to feel messy, to question everything, and still be worthy. So I guess it was always for me…But eventually, it became for us.
Q5: This book clearly speaks to Gen Z and Alpha—what made you want to write for that audience?
Answer:
Because I’ve seen their struggles up close — not just as a counsellor or trainer, but as someone who genuinely listens. Gen Z and Alpha are growing up in a world that’s louder, faster, and more filtered than ever before. There’s pressure to be perfect, to always have a hot take, to curate an identity instead of discovering one. And while they’re incredibly aware and emotionally intelligent, they’re also constantly exhausted — mentally, emotionally, digitally. What I noticed most was this silent scream behind their smiles. A craving for realness. For something that doesn’t try to fix them but gets them. So I didn’t want to lecture. I wanted to speak their language. No jargon. No guru mode. Just honest, unfiltered reflection — written in a way that feels like a voice in their head finally making sense. I wrote this book because I believe this generation isn’t broken or lost — they’re evolving. And all they need sometimes is a reminder that it’s okay to be figuring it out. This book is my way of saying:
“You’re not alone. And you don’t have to pretend you’ve got it all together.”
Q6: You break norms of “perfect” self-help books. What’s your take on today’s influencer-driven advice culture?
Answer:
Honestly? It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s amazing that mental health, healing, self-worth — topics that were once taboo — are now being openly talked about on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. But on the flip side, there’s a performance problem. Everyone’s giving advice. Everyone’s a coach. And often, it feels more like branding than being. The influencer culture tends to sell “healing” as an aesthetic — clean rooms, journaling in golden sunlight, ice-cold matcha, and motivational quotes in pastel fonts. But real growth? Real self-work? It’s messy. It’s confusing. It’s crying at 2 AM and still showing up the next day. I didn’t want I — Unfiltered to be another guide telling people how to “fix” themselves.
I wanted it to be a conversation that says: “You don’t have to be fixed. You just have to be you, honestly.” Because I think this generation is tired of being sold perfection. They’re craving something real — even if it’s imperfect, awkward, or unpolished. So yeah, this book breaks the aesthetic. No filters. No sugar-coating. Just clarity, honesty, and a little chaos — like real life.
Q7: You explore ideas like “I am the problem and the solution” and “I, Revolution.” What do these themes mean to you?
Answer:
These are the heartbeats of the book.“I am the problem and the solution” came from a personal moment of hard truth. I realised that many of my struggles weren’t just caused by the world around me, but by how I chose to respond, what I expected, and how long I held onto pain. That line is a reflection of radical self-awareness. It doesn’t mean blaming ourselves for everything — it means owning our agency, our power to change, grow, and shift our own narrative. “I, Revolution” is the next step. It’s what happens after we stop waiting for external change. When we look inward and say, “If something’s going to change, it starts with me.” It’s not about big rebellions or dramatic transformations. It’s about quiet, personal revolutions: choosing self-respect over people-pleasing, choosing healing over ego, choosing truth over comfort. To me, these themes are reminders that we are not just characters in our life stories — we’re also the writers. The moment you realise that is the moment things start shifting.
Q8: There’s a strong emphasis on self-validation. Was that something you had to learn the hard way?
Answer:
Yes. 100%. Self-validation wasn’t something I was taught — it was something life forced me to learn. Like many people, I used to seek approval constantly — from teachers, friends, colleagues, even strangers. I measured my worth by how others saw me. And when that validation didn’t come, or when it came inconsistently, it crushed me. It made me question myself even when I was doing just fine. What I’ve learned over time — and especially through working with young people — is that the world is inconsistent. People won’t always get you. They won’t always clap. Sometimes, they won’t even notice. If your self-worth depends on that applause, you’ll forever be on a rollercoaster. So yes, self-validation became my anchor. It was a hard shift — to stop asking, “Do they see me?” and start asking, “Do I see me?”
That’s why it shows up so strongly in I — Unfiltered.
Because once you learn to validate yourself — your effort, your feelings, your growth — you become less dependent on the noise outside and more in tune with the voice within. And that’s real power.
