Credit source: Sophie Tanner
As a proud sologamist, I'm delighted to see that self-marriage is trending again - Yorkshire-born Lynne Gollogly recently tied the knot with herself and last week Janet Street Porter had a rather hysterical shotgun self-wedding on Loose Women.
Love or hate sologamy, it seems to capture the public imagination, begging a variety of glib questions that people can't wait to ask: 'Does that mean if you don't get on you'll have to divorce yourself?', 'If you sleep with someone else, is it a threesome' and, my favourite, 'So you don't have much trouble in the bedroom then?', which prompted me to inadvertently refer to masturbation during my interview on This Morning. Soz Eamonn and Ruth, you asked for it!
This month, I've had a fresh wave of media interest which is great, I'm always happy to chat about my own experience of self-marriage. My wedding in May 2015 was one of the best days of my life and I'd encourage anyone to marry themselves as it can only be a positive act. I wasn't prepared, however, for a bizarrely aggressive interview on live radio last week. The female presenter seemed to be personally offended by sologamy and interrupted my attempt at explanation so I thought I'd get a few things straight in this helpful guide below. If there's something I haven't covered please do get in touch.
An Idiot's Guide To Sologamy
What is sologamy?
Sologamy is the act of marrying oneself. It is not legally recognised but a number of people around the world have had ceremonies which include the traditional elements of a wedding including a ring, wedding dress, celebrant and first kiss. Vows of commitment and self-respect are made. The size and expense of the ceremony can vary; the individual may prefer to perform the ritual alone, as a private event, or to invite their family and friends along to celebrate.
Image credit: Chris Noble
Sologamy is not about narcissism
In Greek mythology, poor old Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a pool, staring at it until he lost the will to live and died; thus narcissism is a fixation with oneself and one's physical appearance and public perception. In psychoanalytic theory, traits of narcissism include difficulty with empathy and sustaining satisfying relationships.
In contrast, marrying yourself has nothing to do with vanity or seeking adoration. Self-weddings are not an indulgent fanfare of selfies and bling - we'll leave that to certain celebrities. Sologamy is committing to truly love yourself and, as a result, become more emotionally available to accept and understand others. Developing a sense of self-worth, as opposed to insecurity, allows you even greater capacity for human connection.
Sologamy is a rite of passage
The Western world is increasingly devoid of ritual and spiritualism which is a shame because ritual is fundamental to human growth, identity and development. Other cultures have coming-of-age ceremonies which act as a gateway to adulthood and independence. In Britain, many people are choosing to marry later in life or not to marry at all which means they have nothing to mark their personal milestones. Self-weddings offer an opportunity to officially recognise a major life transition.
Sologamy celebrates singleness...
It is an important skill to learn to be completely happy on your own. Unfortunately society has a deeply-rooted prejudice of the romantically unattached; there is a lingering stigma surrounding single status which can lead to ill-advised relationships. You can wish away your life waiting for 'the one', without realising that you, in fact, are the one.
Self-marriage addresses the notion that being single is a viable lifestyle option, whether this is for a short period of time, during several stages in your life, or for most of your adult years. Even when you are part of a couple, it is liberating to seek solitude and enjoy your own company.
...but it doesn't mean you're rejecting other meaningful relationships
When you marry yourself you're creating a standard of what a happy relationship is, meaning you don't settle for scraps. Feeling secure and content means that you're able to recognise what you deserve and are capable of more generous, fulfilling relationships. You can only truly love someone else when you know how to love yourself. Yes, you can have sex (you're not a nun), yes you can marry again, yes you can have your self-wedding cake and eat it!
Sologamy combats loneliness
It is often said that we are living in the 'age of loneliness', with us Brits being less likely to have strong friendships or know our neighbours than residents elsewhere in the Europe. Old and young people alike are increasingly isolated which is terribly sad. Sologamy is not an exclusive relationship, it actively promotes inclusivity and encourages understanding, openness and sensitivity to others, meaning sologamists are available to provide emotional support and practical help to friends and neighbours in their community.
Image credit: Chris Noble
A woman marrying herself is a feminist statement...
Women get the brunt of the stigma surrounding being single - bachelors are eligible but spinsters are crazy old cat ladies. Historically a marriage's success hinged on a woman's willingness to subordinate her selfhood for the good of her husband and children. Today, when a woman has a wedding without a husband, it is an empowering response to a society that tells her she needs a man to live happily ever after. She refuses to feel ashamed, rejected or 'left on the shelf'; she is choosing life - she is choosing herself.
...but men can do it too!
In the same way feminism isn't just for women, self-marriage is of course an option for men. Men are less able to openly demonstrate emotion in our culture and are often hamstrung by their inability to deal with their situation. Three times more men than women commit suicide in Britain every year and men aged 20-49 years are now more likely to die from suicide than any other cause of death. That's a pretty horrendous stat and highlights the growing need for individual self-care and self-worth.
Self-marriage won't always be roses
You are always changing and adjusting in your place in the world. You will let yourself down and you will behave in a way that you're ashamed of. Just because you've married yourself, it doesn't mean you're some kind of smug saint who can do no wrong. You have vowed to face your disappointments and accept your failures and the key is to constantly try to improve. It's hard work sometimes, but you are your own best friend so you will put up with it.
Divorce isn't an option
As discussed, there will be times when you neglect yourself and don't keep your promises, this doesn't mean you give up. Once you've married yourself there is no option of divorce because that would mean you can no longer live with yourself. Which is basically suicide. The opposite of self-marriage is suicide.
Sologamy is not a criticism of happy couples and married people
Obviously marrying yourself is not the only way to value yourself; you may fall head over heels in love with your soulmate when you're 18 and lead the most fulfilled, mutually-supportive life together forever. Sologamy merely begs a slight cultural mindshift, it suggests that 'settling down' is just one lifestyle option - that there are in fact other paths to happiness. In fact, sologamy is a very romantic concept because it celebrates true love in all its beating glory - love breeds love breeds love ad infinitum.
Image credit: Amy Sanders
You won't regret it
Yes, you may get called 'bonkers', you may get yourself a few pet trolls who tell you you're so fat and ugly no wonder no one wants you, you may get aggressive radio presenters telling you don't want to die lonely. But, hey, new ideas are often dismissed as crazy because they fall outside of any previously-recognised context. When you're marrying yourself, you're not harming anyone and you certainly won't regret it: "Hey, remember that day I danced through the sunny streets of Brighton and promised to value myself forever in front of everyone I love? Wish I hadn't done that". As if.
For more inspiration on self-marriage read my novel Happily.
Image credit: Chris Noble