So you've been in a relationship for a while and are more than ready to walk down the aisle but does he feel the same way? You may be in a great relationship but what's the point if it's not going anywhere? If you have your doubts, these signs he may never propose, will come in handy. There's nothing worse than being in a dead end relationship where you're in it for the long haul but where he may never propose. If you have been noticing these signs he may never propose, maybe it's time for serious action!
While you may be the sorts who has always been dreaming about a dazzling rock on your finger, the most romantic marriage proposal, the perfect wedding dress and happily ever after, he may detest the very idea of marriage. Does he hate going to weddings? Does he often talk about marriage as the "end" of a guy's life and wonder out loud why people even get hitched? Maybe he doesn't believe in the institution of marriage, maybe he's just commitment phobic or maybe he believes that all marriages are meant to fail. Either way, if the two of you are on opposite ends when it comes to the very idea of marriage, chances are you may never get him to change his mind.
Some days he's extra attentive and romantic, buying you flowers and taking you out on lovely dates, while on other days he's just a jerk and won't call you for days on end without a reason. If he's inconsistent in the relationship, it's probably because he's indecisive and doesn't know what he wants from you. And until he figures out what he wants, chances are he's not going to propose.
An important sign he will never propose is if he doesn't make an effort to integrate you with his friends and family. Sure, you've met them a couple of times on a couple of occasions, but if he sees you as his potential wife, he will make sure that they know you as more than some girl he's dating. He will ensure that you're as much a part of their lives as he is, if not more.
When it comes to making plans for next weekend, he's all in and excited but talk about going away on vacation together next year and he chokes up and mutters something like "We'll talk when the time comes". If he sees you as a part of his future, he'd have no qualms making plans or at least considering them and that's that. If he can't commit to a long term plan, he's probably not in it for the long haul.
Nothing says "sign he may never propose" like avoiding talks about the future. Does he shy away from conversations about long term commitment? Do you end up fighting every time you talk about the future or kids? Does he freak out when you bring up the "M" word? Does he always change the subject when it comes to your future with him? If he won't even discuss it, how is he ever going to pop the question?
If a man is avoiding conversations about long term commitment, it may be a sign that he may never propose to you. He may get uncomfortable when you talk about marriage, or try to change the subject. He may also be hesitant to talk about having kids together or other plans for the future.
This could be a sign that he is not ready to make a commitment to you, or that he is not interested in marrying you. It could also be a sign that he is not sure of his feelings for you, or that he is not sure if you are the right person for him.
It is important to talk to him about his feelings and intentions, so that you can avoid any misunderstandings. If he is not willing to talk to you about the future, it may be a good idea to move on and find someone who is.
If you are in a relationship with someone who is avoiding talking about the future, it is important to be honest with yourself and make sure that you are not wasting your time. It is also important to remember that not everyone is ready to make a commitment, and that it is okay to walk away if you feel like it is not the right time for you.
Maybe the two of you have had a serious discussion about marriage a while back, where you told him how you felt and he seemed very eager to take things forward but that's it... nothing has happened since. There has been no house hunting, no ring shopping, no proposal signs, no hint whatsoever and when you bring it up, all you get are excuses and more excuses. Unless these seem like legitimate reasons, chances are he's just buying time, till he's cornered into absolutely having to make a decision.
This is probably the number one reason why he may never propose. If the two of you have been together for a while and are practically married where you live together, have sex, share finances etc. chances are he's perfectly comfortable with the arrangement and doesn't see a reason why anything should change. It's a classic "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free" situation. There's no set period within which a couple has to get married or even talk marriage but about a year and a half to two years is long enough to decide whether or not your partner is the one. If it doesn't seem like you're moving forward 2,3, 4 years into a relationship, maybe you're just not the same page.
This article is written to provide insight into why a man may not be ready to propose to a woman. It outlines 11 signs that may be indicative of a man's reluctance to take the next step in a relationship.
One of the signs is that the couple has become too used to each other. This is often the case when a couple has been together for a while and have become comfortable with their arrangement. They may be living together, having sex, and sharing finances, but the man may not see a need to take the relationship to the next level. This could be a result of him feeling that the relationship is already fulfilling his needs, thus he doesn't feel the need to make it official.
Another sign is that the couple has been together for a long time without talking about marriage. While there is no set time limit for when a couple should get married or even talk about marriage, a year and a half to two years is usually a good indicator of whether or not the couple is on the same page. If the couple is not progressing after two years, it may be a sign that the man is not ready to propose.
Sometimes, people have a hard time letting things go. If he still talks about his former relationships (whether it's casual or in comparison to whatever you're talking about), still reminiscing about his "glory years" at college or just unable to shake something from the past off his mind, it's a clear sign that he's unable to live in the present. If he's not living in the present, he's not really appreciating what he has with you. That means he's not even thinking about planning a future with you!
Constantly reliving old memories indicates a certain fixation with times when he perhaps felt more successful, carefree, or valued. It's worrisome if these ruminations take precedence over creating new memories with you. Nostalgia can be a beautiful thing, but when it hinders someone from fully engaging with their current surroundings, including their partner, it's a red flag. If his heart is anchored in yesteryears, he might not be ready to set sail on the journey of commitment that a future with you entails.
Stability in life is very important for men. They like to know that they'd be able to take care of you if push came to shove. He can't do that if he's in between jobs or just going through some sort of life change. So, until he feels like he's got his life back on track, chances are he won't be proposing.
It is not uncommon for men to feel like they need to have their lives in order before they can commit to a relationship. Men tend to feel a strong sense of responsibility to provide for their families, and if they don't feel like they can do that, they may be hesitant to propose. This is especially true if he is in between jobs or is going through a major life change. He may need to get his finances in order, find a stable job, or just get his life back on track before he can feel comfortable proposing.
It is important to remember that it isn't necessarily a reflection on the relationship. He may be feeling the pressure to provide for the future of the relationship, and if he doesn't feel ready, he may not be willing to take that step. If he is feeling this way, it may be helpful to have a conversation about it. Talk about his goals and what he needs to do to feel ready for marriage. Offer your support and understanding, and let him know that you will be there for him no matter what.
Let's be honest, if he's hanging around with happy bachelors all the time, he's probably not going to want to change that lifestyle. Guys who want to get married usually have a few married friends! This might not be the case for every guy but if it rings true for you, he might not be too interested in the idea of marriage.
When the going gets tough, does he run away from the problem? That's not going to help anybody! If he runs away (both figuratively and literally) when you guys hit a rough patch, he's not going to be that great in a marriage. The idea of even confronting the topic scares him! Not a good sign.
If your partner has been showing these signs that he may never propose, it is time to re-evaluate your relationship and have a serious discussion. Remember, it's always better out than in and rather than wonder if these signs he will never propose actually mean something, you should sit down, talk to him and figure out where he stands. Don't fight or give him an ultimatum, just have an honest "where do we stand" discussion with him. Good luck ladies! Have you ever experienced any other signs he may never propose? Do share!
This article was written in collaboration with editor Vanessa Salles.