Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : August 4, 2016 12:38 PM IST
I was doing my masters when I first met Upasna on my college campus. I thought she was the ultimate party girl. Just a few days back when I called her, I was surprised to learn that party and occassional drinking did not appeal to her anymore. How she managed to quit all that 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 cheers on Instagram and little tequila shots on Facebook. Throughout these years of consuming the bitter syrup even though occassionally, my life has faced the strain of it, until one day I decided to bid adieu to alcohol. 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, 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 on few weekends. The music was a pleasure with a glass to gulp. But now for months after quitting alcohol totally, 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.
I am 10 times more productive
I wanted to do a lot of things, but most weekends were a scene of wasted living with 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 drinking, my productivity has increased. I joined a university as guest faculty and blog on a regular basis.
I am losing that pot belly
Alcohol made me a couch potato. Sip wine, 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 focused 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
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 person who goes emotionally or extremely happy only when drunk. I have better friends and stronger bonds.
Time is of importance
Earlier my at least saturdays would be all about partying with friends. Stopping going to parties 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 partying robbing all my money are finally over, and I cannot be happier. I ended up being broke by the mid of every month. Now I manage 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. If not, you must read about the side effects of alcohol. Quit alcohol or live eight years less. It is your choice.
