I was doing my masters when I first met Upasna Kakati on my college campus. I thought she was the ultimate party girl. We have been friends for the longest time now, and I know of her countless drunken escapades. Just a few days back when I called her, I was surprised to learn that alcohol did not appeal to her anymore. How she managed to quit alcohol was her will but how it changed her life is incredible. Here is her story in her words.
Like most of the people, I did take new year resolutions many times to quit alcohol but never really implemented it. Scanning through my pictures now, I see liquor surrounding me in all forms – cheers on Instagram, bottoms up in a personal collection and little tequila shots on Facebook. Alcohol became a frequent visitor never to leave; it kept coming on all occasions right from birthdays to baby showers to promotion parties to being a way to get over the lows in life. Throughout these years of consuming the bitter syrup, my life has faced the strain of it, until one day I decided to bid adieu to alcohol. I was addicted to alcohol for over four years and it has been four months I have been alcohol-free! I have finally done it, and this is how good I feel now.
I am high on life without being high on alcohol
Those days when alcohol was a must in every party, weekends and casual day outs, life without it seemed lifeless and dull. It became a deciding factor in my happiness. We are happy when we are high – is what I thought and so did most of my friends who were my partners-in-crime. The music was a pleasure with a glass to gulp. But now for months after quitting alcohol, life got moving in a better direction with a realisation that it is possible to be high on life. I started enjoying life and living it to the fullest.
![Upasana 1]()
Upasana in the middle
I am 10 times more productive
I wanted to do a lot of things, but the sinful alcohol seemed to be a hassle in everything in all forms. Weekends usually were a scene of wasted living with severe hangovers in the morning. Gradually the weekend would pass with the blink of an eye without understanding how and why it went so quick. From the moment I quit alcohol, my productivity has increased. I joined a university as guest faculty and blog on a regular basis. No alcohol and I have time for everything and anything because there is no time wasted on recovering from bad and sluggish hangovers.
I am losing that pot belly
Alcohol made me a couch potato. Sip wine, grab a bottle of beer and leisure away watching TV or chitchatting. The monotony of this adulterated living was broken the day I firmly decided to quit drinking. I started taking care of myself and focussed on living healthy. Today I jog every morning without any reluctance, practise pilates and yoga and have surrounded myself with natural ways of living a profoundly healthy life. Guess what? I see the alcohol belly diminishing gradually through weight shedding.
I have stronger bonds
I had lots of messed up relations and had many people in my life who were nothing more than just drinking mates. Four months down, I realise that I not only left alcohol but also left such pollutants behind with the bottle. I am no more a mess, no more a person who goes emotionally or extremely happy only when drunk. I have better friends and stronger bonds.
![Upasana 2]()
Upasana in the left
Time is of importance
Earlier my weekends would be all about drinking to glory. Quitting alcohol has been a boon as it helped me progress through myself, helped me to seek something resourceful and use weekends for a better purpose. Now I write on weekends and spend time with family and friends. I am planning to take up a baking class (still a thought!)
I am rich
Those days of alcohol robbing all my money are finally over, and I cannot be happier. I ended up being broke by the mid of every month. From the day I quit alcohol, I managed to save quite some money, so the money that I wasted now goes to my recurring deposit. Isn't that cool?
I hope Upasana's story has motivated you enough to ditch alcohol. If not, you must read about the side effects of alcohol. Quit alcohol or live eight years less. It is your choice.
Upasana in the middle
I am 10 times more productive
I wanted to do a lot of things, but the sinful alcohol seemed to be a hassle in everything in all forms. Weekends usually were a scene of wasted living with severe hangovers in the morning. Gradually the weekend would pass with the blink of an eye without understanding how and why it went so quick. From the moment I quit alcohol, my productivity has increased. I joined a university as guest faculty and blog on a regular basis. No alcohol and I have time for everything and anything because there is no time wasted on recovering from bad and sluggish hangovers.
I am losing that pot belly
Alcohol made me a couch potato. Sip wine, grab a bottle of beer and leisure away watching TV or chitchatting. The monotony of this adulterated living was broken the day I firmly decided to quit drinking. I started taking care of myself and focussed on living healthy. Today I jog every morning without any reluctance, practise pilates and yoga and have surrounded myself with natural ways of living a profoundly healthy life. Guess what? I see the alcohol belly diminishing gradually through weight shedding.
I have stronger bonds
I had lots of messed up relations and had many people in my life who were nothing more than just drinking mates. Four months down, I realise that I not only left alcohol but also left such pollutants behind with the bottle. I am no more a mess, no more a person who goes emotionally or extremely happy only when drunk. I have better friends and stronger bonds.
Upasana in the left
Time is of importance
Earlier my weekends would be all about drinking to glory. Quitting alcohol has been a boon as it helped me progress through myself, helped me to seek something resourceful and use weekends for a better purpose. Now I write on weekends and spend time with family and friends. I am planning to take up a baking class (still a thought!)
I am rich
Those days of alcohol robbing all my money are finally over, and I cannot be happier. I ended up being broke by the mid of every month. From the day I quit alcohol, I managed to save quite some money, so the money that I wasted now goes to my recurring deposit. Isn't that cool?
I hope Upasana's story has motivated you enough to ditch alcohol. If not, you must read about the side effects of alcohol. Quit alcohol or live eight years less. It is your choice.
