British-Nigerian presenter and actress Simi Drey has opened up about a life-changing decision in her past relationship. She revealed how she ended her engagement and canceled wedding plans after realizing she wasn’t truly happy or fulfilled.
Simi shared her story during an episode of the WithChude podcast, describing how societal expectations and internal doubts played a role in her decision.
“My ex and I didn’t have a perfect relationship. He wasn’t abusive, and he never cheated, but I wasn’t 100% happy,” she explained. “In this part of the world, there’s so much pressure on women to get married. My parents never pressured me, but friends would constantly ask, ‘When will you get married?’”
She went on to recall her engagement and the uneasy feelings she couldn’t shake. Despite her apprehension, she initially dismissed her mother’s concerns about the relationship. “My mom wasn’t the type to tell me what to do, but she could see I wasn’t feeling whole. When I told her I was engaged, she said, ‘Simi, don’t do this.’ I ignored her, thinking everything would work out,” Simi said.
A pivotal moment came when she realized she couldn’t commit to a marriage without being fully at peace. “Two months after the proposal, I told my fiancé we needed to work on our relationship before talking about marriage again. But a month later, I knew deep down that I didn’t want to marry him. I wanted to marry with worth, not out of obligation.”
Ending the engagement wasn’t easy. “I faced heavy criticism, but I had to be honest with myself. After the breakup, I came to terms with the fact that being single and happy is far better than being married and miserable,” she concluded.
Simi’s story is a powerful reminder about the importance of self-awareness and prioritizing personal happiness over societal expectations.
