Why hasn’t your boyfriend proposed yet? Have you been endlessly wondering when you will get engaged?

There are plenty of women who are anxiously waiting for their partner to propose and thinking of questions like, does my boyfriend even want to get married?

Based on what we’ve seen online and with other women, these are fairly common feelings and obsessions, but there aren’t enough helpful resources. This is why, in this article, we’ve put together the most common reasons why he hasn’t proposed to you yet and what you should do to deal with that. 

1. Fear of Commitment and Loss of Freedom

The main reason men may hesitate to propose is often rooted in an underlying fear, though it might not be consciously recognized as such. Both men and women commonly experience anxiety about the life-altering commitment of marriage. If a man is taking his time to propose, it may indicate that he is approaching the decision with serious consideration and a desire for commitment. 

The idea of a lifelong commitment can be intimidating, leading to hesitation. We suggest being patient and allowing your partner to work through his fears at his own pace. If he demonstrates commitment in other aspects of the relationship, it suggests that marriage is likely on the horizon, even with slow progress. However, lack of commitment in the relationship overall is a separate concern.

2. He’s Not Where He Wants to Be in Life

Another big delay in a marriage proposal may be due to the guy needing more time to feel ready and be happy with where he wants to be in life. This usually has to do with career matters or money.

Also, men are raised with the knowledge that they need to “provide for their family.” Generally, social and financial stability is a big deal to a man; without these things, he may feel like he isn’t ready to take the next step.

There’s not much you can do to change a man’s mind in this regard, as we all have personal goals for our lives. The best thing you can do is to show your man support in these areas of his life. And remember that your potential husband is taking care of his responsibilities seriously as he wants to be a solid contributor to your future family. So again, it’s best to stay patient. 

3. You Haven’t Discussed it Yet

Is it possible that he doesn’t know you’re waiting for a proposal? You might be thinking of an engagement and marriage, but if the two of you haven’t discussed it yet, you might be on completely different pages. We think that you should have discussed marriage somewhere down the line in your relationship. At least, you should know whether your partner is open to marriage or not.

If you’ve been together for a while and have no idea of his idea of marriage, it’s time to sit down and talk about it. It doesn’t need to be dramatic; instead, just invite him to talk about his thoughts on marriage and where your relationship should be going. Such conversation is crucial so you’ll have a clear picture of the future you’ve imagined. 

4. You’re on Different Timelines or He Just isn’t Ready 

It’s pretty common that he’s on a completely different timeline than you. Some men and women have the idea of marriage but at a much slower pace than others. This is why discussing this with your partner is necessary so you’ll be on the same page. 

Finally, you may need to consider that your man is simply not ready to get married. Maybe he just wants to enjoy his life, some issues in life to resolve, or other things that prevent him from making the big step. 

Remember that marriage is a commitment of two people, and you need to respect his timeline along with yours. If he doesn’t know when he’ll be ready, you need to make some choices ahead, and here are our suggestions. 

What to do If He Hasn’t Proposed and How to Relax 

Now that we’ve looked at the 4 most common reasons why your man hasn’t proposed, the next question is: what should you do?

First, remember that no one can tell you what you want to do in life. Ultimately, you need to decide what’s best for you and the relationship. But don’t be afraid to seek guidance from people you trust most.

And secondly, just because he hasn’t proposed doesn’t mean you should end the long relationship. Understand that many factors are at play, so don’t rush and make the wrong decision. 

Breath and Take a Break

Our number one tip is to take things slow. If you’ve read everything in this article, it may be clear why he hasn’t proposed yet. It’s already comforting to know that you’re in a good, solid relationship and on the same page (just different timelines). 

However, if you’ve been together for years and your partner hasn’t discussed marriage and is showing no signs of moving towards it, you’ll need to make a decision.

Remember to Love Yourself 

If you’re that obsessed with an engagement, you may actually be seeking reassurance and validation from those around you. One thing that can help you with this is self-love and self-care. We know that it is difficult to love yourself truly, but when you do, the urge to be engaged won’t be as pressing. 

Focus on yourself and realize that you are enough. It will help you throughout your life in amazing ways. 

Live Your Awesome Life!

Embrace and enjoy this phase of your life. You’ll never have this moment again, so make it something worth remembering. 

Marriage and engagement are not everything. Live your life and embrace all the opportunities around you, which will help you take your mind off the ring.