So, you’re about to get engaged. Congratulations! Or, if you’re like most girls in America, pre-congratulations, because you’ve probably been manifesting this moment through Pinterest boards since 2014.
Maybe your best friend just got proposed to with a flash-mob, drone footage, and a surprise appearance by Taylor Swift (okay, a very dedicated Taylor Swift impersonator). Meanwhile, your guy casually mentioned one night, “Hey, wanna go ring shopping?” And now you’re spiraling.
Let’s be real, engagements in the age of Instagram are a competitive sport. The pressure is real, but so is the joy of this moment. So before you start drafting a breakup text because he didn’t propose during a helicopter ride over Santorini, let’s talk about how to stop comparing your engagement to everyone else’s.
1. Step Away from the Instagram Algorithm (It’s Not Your Friend)
If you’ve spent more time analyzing other people’s engagement rings than your own relationship, it’s time for a detox. Instagram is basically a highlight reel where no one posts the awkward “Wait, which hand does it go on?” moment. Unfollow, mute, or take a break before you convince yourself that only viral proposals count.
2. Remember: Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better (Rings OR Proposals)
Yes, some women are out here getting rocks that look like they could sink the Titanic. But the size of the ring doesn’t determine the strength of the relationship. The last time we checked, Kim K’s massive ring didn’t exactly keep things rock solid. Focus on what matters: love, commitment, and the fact that your fiancé knows your Starbucks order by heart.
3. Your Engagement Story Is Unique (And Probably Hilarious)
Maybe your fiancé fumbled the proposal, forgot the speech, or nervously blurted, “Will you be my legal tax partner?” Guess what? That’s amazing. Those are the stories that make your relationship yours. No one wants a carbon-copy engagement straight out of a rom-com (except maybe Hallmark, but even they need fresh content).
4. Create Your Own Traditions Instead of Copying Others
Forget what TikTok says is necessary for an engagement. Maybe you don’t want a professional photographer hiding in the bushes. Maybe you and your fiancé prefer a celebratory Taco Bell run over a five-star dinner. Who says you can’t make your own rules? (Except your mom, who definitely has opinions, but let’s pretend we didn’t hear those.)
5. Perfect Instagram Captions Are Overrated
Are you losing sleep trying to craft the perfect “I said yes!!!” caption? Stop. The pressure to be both sentimental and witty in one post is not what you need right now. Just go with “Engaged! Send wine.” Or better yet, let the ring pic do the talking. If someone wants more details, they can text you like a real friend.
6. Avoid the Family Comparison Olympics
Ah, family. The people who mean well but will absolutely compare your engagement to your cousin’s. “Oh, Jennifer’s fiancé flew her to Paris!” Cool, Aunt Linda. Jennifer also has a habit of breaking off engagements, so let’s see how this one plays out. Redirect the convo with a simple “We’re just so happy!” and change the subject to something less controversial, like politics.
7. Channel Your Inner Zen (And Maybe Your Inner Comedian)
When people start asking intrusive questions like “How many carats?” or “How much did he spend?”, laugh it off. “Oh, I have no idea, I just know it pairs beautifully with my sweatpants!” Humor is your best weapon against engagement envy and nosy people.
8. Focus on What Actually Matters: The Marriage
At the end of the day, the proposal lasts 10 minutes, but the marriage (ideally) lasts forever. Instead of obsessing over how he popped the question, focus on how you two will tackle life together. Because that is what actually matters, not whether there were fireworks or a 12-piece string quartet involved.
Final Thoughts
Engagements aren’t a competition, and love isn’t measured in carats, viral-worthy moments, or how many people commented “OMG goals” on your post. The only thing that really matters is that you are excited to spend your life with your person.
So tell me, what’s the funniest or most unexpected thing that happened during your engagement? Drop it in the comments! Let’s normalize the real, messy, hilarious side of love.