You’ve been dating this guy for a long time. You know deep down in your heart that you want to spend the rest of your life with him. But for some reason, he isn’t saying anything about it. He’s avoiding the subject of marriage, and you’re thinking, if he loves you as much as he claims, why is he dragging his feet about putting a ring on your finger? Perhaps you aren’t doing enough to make him do it.
If he’s not going to do it, guess what? You’re going to make him do it. If he can’t put a ring on your finger, then he doesn’t deserve you. You need to move on to someone else, someone who’ll recognize the fact that having you in their life is a privilege, one that they’d want to retain forever.
Here are 7 ways to make your boyfriend propose marriage to you as soon as possible.
1. Be Indispensable
Technically speaking, nobody’s indispensable, but you need to let him know that you’re so important to him that he can’t do without you. There are many women in the world, so if he’s going to pick you, he has to be convinced without a doubt that you’re the bone of his bones. You’re his missing rib. You’re the woman of his dreams.
To make yourself indispensable, be there for him. Always come through for him. If you have to be the perfect girlfriend, then so be it. When he looks at you, he should see his woman for life. Don’t just be there and pretend you’re not.
Be instrumental in his life and day-to-day activities. Help him as much as you can. This doesn’t mean babysitting a grown man. The idea is to be supportive, encourage him, and give him all the motivation he needs to get by. That way, he’ll begin to realize that he needs you even more than he thinks. Be there for him even when no one else is.
Be there in his trying times. Always have something good and motivating to say to him. If he has a problem, you should be the person he runs to. If he wants to get something off his chest, you should be the one to listen. That way, he’ll begin to realize that you’re very important to him, and the earlier he puts a ring on your finger, the better, because if he doesn’t, some other guy will take you away from him.
2. Bring Something Valuable to the Table
What do you bring to the table? Or are you just sitting back and waiting for him to bring everything? Such a relationship isn’t balanced. Someone’s pulling all the weight, and sooner or later, he’s going to get tired. No wonder he hasn’t proposed yet, since he doesn’t want to be stuck with a liability for the rest of his life.
You can’t expect him to put a ring on your finger when you do nothing tangible for him and bring nothing to the table. Gone are the days when women would sit back at home and expect their men to do everything. Times have changed. As a woman, you need to pull your own weight.
You need to bring something to the table. What’re you doing for yourself? Do you have a job? You need one because you need to bring money to the table. It’s not just about money. It’s about your self-esteem and self-respect. When you have that, a man’s more inclined to respect you. He wants you to help with the bills and other household tasks. If you’re not bringing anything to the table, he’ll have to do everything for the rest of his life, and that’s not a good place to be.
If you haven’t brought anything so far, the question is what you’re going to do about it going forward. Take a critical look at your situation and devise ways to add value. Guys don’t want to be stuck with liabilities. Just as women want men who’ll make their lives better, men want women who’ll make their lives better, too.
If you don’t fit that category, you’re giving your boyfriend more reasons not to propose. Ask yourself how you can enhance his life and what your role is in the relationship. Once you figure that out, you’ll be surprised at the turn of events. That man will want to keep you to himself and marry you as soon as possible because you’re a prize any man would be happy to have.
3. Have a Life of Your Own
You probably think you love him so much that it’s fine to build your entire world around him. But that will soon become a problem when he can’t even breathe because you’re all over him. Wherever he turns, you’re there. It gets tiring. Nobody wants to feel like they’re everything you have, because too much attention eventually becomes suffocating.
You need a life outside him. Get a job or start a business that takes your time and attention. Have good friends who spice up your life and make it interesting. When he sees that you’re happy and involved in other things, he’ll be relaxed because he knows you’re not all up in his space.
If all you think about is him, it’s suffocating. It feels like a prison. Go out by yourself. Go out with your friends. Make plans that don’t involve him. Not everything has to be about him.
Create your own life. Have fun. You can tell him about it afterward. Let him see that with or without him, you’re living a beautiful life. People want to be around people who are enjoying life. Be independent and don’t be totally dependent on him. That sends a strong message that you’ll be fine either way.
4. Hang Out With Your Married Friends
If you and your boyfriend have married friends, now is the time to spend time with them. Seeing happy married couples, especially those with kids, will have a positive effect on him. Watching them enjoy marriage and family life will help him envision that life for himself.
Plan double dates. Go on picnics and dinners together. Have conversations with them. In no time, your boyfriend will begin to wish he were already married. Seeing kids playing around with their parents will rub off on him and awaken his desire to have a family of his own.
5. Let Him Know He Isn’t the Only One Interested
You don’t need to rub it in. Do it subtly. Let him know other guys are interested in you. Mention it casually. Say it like it’s no big deal. He’ll take it seriously.
Jealousy will kick in. He’ll realize there’s competition and rush to secure you before someone else does. When a man feels there’s no competition, he relaxes. Let him know there is.
6. Talk About Your Dream Family
This doesn’t mean nagging him about marriage. Talk about the kind of family you want and how many kids you’d like to have. Don’t say anything about marrying him specifically. Your dream family could be with any man.
If he’s smart, he’ll understand what you’re implying. He’ll realize you’re ready for marriage and that if he doesn’t step up, someone else will. If he wants to be part of your future, he’ll do what’s necessary.
7. Hint at Moving to Another Town or Country
This is to test his reaction. He’s gotten comfortable with you around. Tell him you might be moving away for better opportunities and watch how he responds.
If he truly loves you and wants you for the long haul, he’ll propose immediately, not wanting to lose you. He’ll want to mark his territory and secure the relationship.
Many men see marriage as bondage, but you need to help him see that being with you will make his life better, not worse. Show him that marriage with you isn’t a prison but a beautiful companionship. A man who sees himself being happy with you will be eager to propose marriage to you. Ensure you do due diligence and look out for red flags before marrying him.