How to Wait for An Engagement Proposal

Waiting for a marriage proposal can be time-consuming, stressful and nerve-racking. Just because you are ready for the relationship to move to the next level, doesn't mean your boyfriend is ready or that it will happen in your time frame. Instead of aggravating your boyfriend with annoying questions and overly emotional behavior, follow these suggestions and tips from those who have had experience waiting, to help cope with the waiting period.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience

1. Make sure you know yourself.
   
   During the dating period is a good time to reevaluate who you are. Some things about you could have changed since you were a single woman. Now, some time has been devoted to making a serious relationship work smoothly. Make sure your needs are being met. Now is the time to resolve your own issues or problems. Read books, attend seminars and talk to other women, who have been in the similar situations. There are many web sites that contain good information and articles on self-help and self-growth, helping to evaluate who you are, and how you can improve. Messages boards and blogs are good places to post messages on frustration and anxiety about waiting. Talk with other women before bombarding your boyfriend with your worries and anxiety. Make sure to talk to him but don't obsess.

2. Stop trying to read his mind and realize that men just think differently.
   
   Sometimes it's hard for women to realize that men think differently. The words he says may be your indicator of what he thinks or feels. Listen to what your boyfriend says. Don't write it off thinking he doesn't feel the same. If he says just be patient awhile longer, he might actually mean that! Perhaps he has a surprise planned, and he can't say anything or it would ruin the surprise. Women don't always understand the pressure men are in to make the proposal perfect. Maybe there are things he wants to do first in order to make your life better during and after the engagement. Sometimes men have steps they need to make first, themselves.

3. Enjoy the waiting period before engagement.
   
   Enjoy yourself now. You don't have to wait for your future dreams to come true to be happy. Do things for yourself, now. Go shopping just for yourself, get your hair cut, lose weight, tone up, or just think positively. Take some time to do something you love. Look around your home to see what areas you can focus on for improving or take on a new project. Perhaps this positive change, and some extra self esteem will be just what your boyfriend is looking for. He will see you content, and realize he can't live his life without you.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to be patient. If it is meant to be, it will happen in due time.
• Stress is hazardous to your health.

[acoghlan]

on 11/3/2009 Stess is hazardous! Tell me about it when people all around you are asking Are there wedding bells.

[leighcamp1]

on 5/27/2008 Great article!