So, you’re pretty sure he’s going to propose. Your best friend has been suspiciously avoiding eye contact, his mom is suddenly your biggest fan, and your Pinterest board is now a shrine to engagement rings. But instead of feeling like the star of your own rom-com, you’re battling an internal monologue that sounds more like a dramatic telenovela: Am I ready? Do I even like the way he chews? What if he proposes in public and I have to ugly cry in front of strangers?
Take a deep breath, girl. You’ve got this. Here are six tricks to stay calm and avoid becoming the next viral engagement meltdown meme.
1. Channel Your Inner FBI Agent (But Chill)
If he’s acting weird, don’t immediately spiral into panic mode. Instead, turn on your detective skills with casual (read: totally not casual) conversations.
- “Hey babe, what’s your dream wedding location?”
- “Do you believe in lifelong commitments, or are you more of a ‘two-year lease with an option to renew’ kind of guy?”
- “How do you feel about the institution of marriage in a late-stage capitalist society?”
If he stares at you like you just asked him to solve the meaning of life, relax. You’re just gathering intel, not filing a report.
2. Take a Break from Your Pinterest Board (Seriously)
At some point, your wedding planning obsession crossed into Olympic-level territory. If you’ve pinned seventy-three variations of the same bouquet, it’s time for an intervention.
Step away from the bridal TikToks, close your Etsy cart, and remember: A proposal is about your relationship, not about curating the perfect aesthetic for the ‘gram.
3. Imagine Saying “Yes” (and Then Imagine Saying “No”)
Picture the moment he gets down on one knee. If your first instinct is pure joy, yay! But if your first thought is, Oh no, now I have to deal with his cousin who insists on wearing flip-flops to formal events, maybe there’s more to unpack.
Flip the script and imagine saying “no.” Are you relieved? Panicked? Excited about your newfound freedom to adopt six cats? Whatever the feeling, trust it.
4. Prep for the “So, When’s the Wedding?” Gauntlet
As soon as a ring touches your finger, the interrogation squad (a.k.a. your mom, his mom, your aunt who comments “When’s your turn?” on every engagement post) will demand details.
Have pre-loaded responses ready:
- “We’re just enjoying the moment!” (Translation: I have no idea what I’m doing.)
- “We’re focusing on building our relationship first!” (Translation: Please leave me alone.)
- “Oh, we’re eloping to a remote island!” (Translation: I just want to see your reaction.)
5. Accept That Not Every Proposal Is Instagram-Worthy
Look, some people get engaged under the Eiffel Tower with a hidden photographer. Others get proposed to in a Chick-fil-A drive-thru. (Hey, nuggets are romantic.)
Society puts way too much pressure on the “perfect proposal.” If your moment involves a slightly awkward knee bend and a ring box that gets stuck in his pocket, just roll with it. That’s real love.
6. Laugh at the Chaos and Trust Yourself
At the end of the day, this is your life, your decision, and your relationship. If you’re feeling 85% excited and only 15% nervous, that’s normal. If it’s the other way around, maybe hit pause.
Either way, don’t let the pressure of Instagram captions and in-law dynamics cloud your judgment. (And remember: You can always say no if you need to. It’s not the Hunger Games; there are no mandatory engagements.)
What’s the wildest thing that’s crossed your mind while waiting for the proposal? Spill the tea in the comments!