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Former journalist turned entrepreneur, Usmeet Kaur talks about her first book, which explores women, their identity and resilience

Chandigarh, September 13

Former journalist, entrepreneur and now author Usmeet Kaur talks about her first book, ‘Unfiltered She ’, which explores women, their identity and resilience. The author describes the book as an expression of her personal experiences, observations and life lessons. Her work questions stereotypes about women and encourages readers to stay true to themselves. Kaur, who spent nearly a decade in journalism before moving into entrepreneurship, said writing has remained an important part of her life even after she left the profession back in 2017.

Her association with journalism began as a feature writer; her internship days helped her discover both her interest in field reporting and her ability to express herself through writing. Talking to The North News, Kaur said, “I feel I can express myself better when I write. Recalling my  years in journalism, I can describe writing as a source of immense satisfaction for me; I would rather call it a blessing for which I remain grateful.”

Although Kaur subsequently entered the food industry, as she runs a franchise of Burgrill in Amritsar and is also the co-founder of Doubleshot- a coffee roastery which has branches in Amritsar, Jandiala, Jalandhar, Mohali and Chandigarh. She never stopped writing. She continued to record her thoughts in diaries, fill registers with quotations, and write down ideas and experiences whenever she found time, despite a demanding work schedule.

She says the book did not begin as a planned publishing project. Instead, it developed gradually from her reflections on personal choices, belief systems, obstacles, experiences, and broader life lessons.

Talking about her book, Kaur says, “Slowly and steadily this compilation started taking shape, and it turned into a book. I hope it serves as a source of empowerment for readers and encourages them to approach their individual journeys with courage and conviction. For me personally, the title-Unfiltered She, is a reflection of my own personality. Unfiltered She is me. Just a reflection of who and how I am.” 

Kaur says that people who know her closely will recognise her as someone who speaks openly about things she feels strongly about. She said the title came naturally and that she was grateful to her editor for accepting it.

About her book, retaining a brazen honesty, Kaur quips, “I deliberately retained an unfiltered approach in the book. The narrative is written with a pure and harmless intent, while focusing on liberation, empowerment and the importance of remaining true to oneself.”

At the heart of the book, Kaur says, is the belief that ordinary lives can produce extraordinary stories. ‘Unfiltered She’ questions established notions and social expectations about how women should behave as daughters, wives, daughters-in-law, or working professionals. 

Kaur insists the book questions stereotypes surrounding women and their journeys, also why women should not necessarily be bound by them. Kaur’s own experiences have played a central role in the narrative: “The book quotes incidents from my workplace, home, and social interactions, forming its central theme. Family, friendships, professional achievements, feminism, resilience and the pursuit of dreams are among the subjects explored in the book,” she says.

Kaur also acknowledged that speaking and writing without filtering oneself can come at a cost, particularly through criticism and social resistance. She said staying faithful to one’s belief system mattered more than avoiding criticism.

When asked about what Kaur wants her readers to take away from the book, she says, “I do not intend to impose lessons on anyone. My right can be your wrong, and your wrong can be my right; perceptions of right and wrong can differ from one person to another. My readers can draw their own value from the life lessons presented in the book.”

Reflecting on her journey as a published author, Kaur says success can sometimes create distance from people who feel insecure or uncomfortable with an individual’s views and actions. “The higher we go, the lonelier it gets,” she says, while stressing on the importance of surrounding oneself with people who bring value and substance to life.

Kaur also expressed concern that increasing dependence on artificial intelligence can affect originality and genuine human expression. While acknowledging the benefits of AI, she said authentic expression ultimately comes from the human mind, heart and soul. “If our pen and our lives can transform even one life,  then trust me it’s worth it,” she said.

After ‘Unfiltered She’, Kaur is already working on her second book, though she has not yet decided when it will be completed. She also said she plans to explore new ventures and projects in her professional journey. She said her experiences have also taught her to prioritise health, retain humanism, and remain humble while pursuing milestones.

Her advice to aspiring writers is simple: “Use your own voice, express what you believe in, and seek to create a positive impact through your words and lives.” She signs off.