Pride of a Solo Bride

30/10/2021

After showing you 2 Art exhibitions I love, “Florae” and “Water Lilies by Monet”, this week I talk again about my Solo Wedding in Santorini, to tell something very intimate that everyone experiences at least once in their life: shame and blame.

Three years already that my incredible story was revealed in the international press, still so much to say, to share with you.

An adventure that never ceases to take me on unknown and exhilarating paths ...

And recently, I was interviewed again, but this time by a bestselling American author who is currently writing a book, and the discussion we've had inspired me the text below, which I’ve chosen to share with you:

"When my fiancé left me, I was ashamed, embarrassed, I know I shouldn’t have been, but I was.
But that’s ok, even if we shouldn’t be ashamed, feelings are what they are, and our strength is to transform them.

Tv host, Eleonora Meleti asked me, during the late night show in Athens, if I had blamed myself, of course I did, but it didn’t last, I was strong enough, confident enough to know that I didn’t do anything wrong. It helped me.
But the shame stayed for a while though.

I didn’t talk too much to people before my solo wedding, that’s why my guest list was small. I never mentioned solo wedding or self-marriage in my vows, I said "rebirth", in fact the entire event was called like that.

The following year, I couldn’t talk easily - as I do today - about my ceremony and everything that happened. The pain from the heartbreak, but not only, again, the shame.

And I had a double challenge, first saying that I married myself, which seemed very weird for people who had no idea of what it was, plus explaining the breakup.
That was so embarrassing.

I’m not easily afraid of being judged, and I can say that this experience even made disappear what could have left of fear. “Live your life unapologetically” was my new rule.

It’s important for me to talk about it because I realise so many people are experiencing shame under different circumstances, and that’s not easy to get rid of.

I know I’m strong and courageous, I look like I can do anything, but believe me it doesn’t happen without challenges, hard decisions, patience and sometimes shame and blame.
I’m human, I have feelings and what I learned since my solo wedding in Santorini, is to accept all my emotions. Nothing to be ashamed of. I am who I am.

When I started the blog and the linked social media, it was so hard to share my photos. During the TV interview (mentioned before), during an hour I fought back my emotional state and my tears.

I was proud of what I did for myself, it really empowered me in many ways, but this is really when I saw the response and the impact, inspiration that I was giving to people, that I realised I should be very proud.
The shame vanished and my purpose, my mission began.

During the interview, I said one must continue to smile despite the pain, the sorrow, because life is a precious gift. Today, I’d like to add, despite the shame, keep shining!
There’s no better way to overcome it that to accept it, embrace it and release it.
Shame and blame can’t live in a healthy, loving, proud environment...

And today, I’m a Proud Solo Bride!" Laëtitia Nguyen