Anupam Mittal, the well-known founder of Shaadi.com and a familiar face on Shark Tank India, recently opened up about a personal challenge that struck a chord with many. In a refreshingly honest LinkedIn post, Mittal revealed he’s finally quitting his last lingering vice—smoking one cigarette a day. While it might sound minor, he described it as the hardest habit to break.
Mittal’s relationship with cigarettes started in his twenties, when he was a pack-a-day smoker. Over the years, he let go of most unhealthy habits, but that single daily cigarette stuck around. It wasn’t just about nicotine; it was a ritual, a moment of pause that accompanied him through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—funding rounds, heartbreaks, and big wins. “One cigarette a day. Like an old flame that refuses to leave,” he wrote, adding a touch of humor to what felt like a heartfelt breakup letter. He ended the note with a playful line: “Goodbye pookie, I’m ghosting you.”
His post resonated with many online. Some shared their own struggles with quitting, while others reflected on the emotional comfort small habits can provide. Many agreed that it’s not just about the cigarette, but the sense of control and clarity it represents. Mittal’s decision to quit, especially as a family man, was widely applauded as a sign of strength and self-awareness.
His story is a reminder that sometimes, the smallest habits are the hardest to let go—and that real change starts with recognizing what we really need.
Sources: Economic Times, LinkedIn