Stop waiting for him to be ready: a businesswoman's proposal timeline #Relationship Advice#engagement#proposing Updated Jan 22 2021 (Posted Jan 18 2021) Guest post by Lina G. Honestly, we're not totally sure we agree with this perspective, but at Offbeat Bride, we like to offer up ALL the angles, so here ya go… This unique business suit is by Etsy seller LauraGalic As a businesswoman, I run within certain social circles (other businesswomen) and we have discovered that we don't have the luxury to be a woman-in-waiting any longer. As a woman who dates men, I'm done waiting for him to propose — and I suggest you consider being done too. Related Post Scrum your wedding: how to plan your wedding like a software developer Our wedding planning process was smooth and enjoyable in large part due to my husband’s and my day jobs. He’s a software developer and I’ve... Read more As businesswomen, we have to report to shitty supervisors, demanding line managers; make nice with vendors; negotiate pedantic contracts; choose living arrangements, travel overseas for training, and attend domestic conferences. We can be completely off the grid for 16 hours, hopping from plane to plane, continent to continent. We strategize our careers, our living arrangements, and our finances — why not our love life? And if you want kids? Forget about it. Marriage or nah? The majority of us in my circle have begun the practice of issuing "timelines." Basically, this means a candid logically-emotional conversation with our respective serious boyfriends of: "… marriage or nah?" We've already established the love and the adoration with the relationship, great. But do we want to give it structure and a moral compass and a legal disposition? You do? Great. You don't: well, thanks for your candor, if you change your mind I'll be overseas for a few weeks at a conference. It works like a charm. Why I recommend a proposal timeline Presumably, you have brought so much value into his life (of the type that HE recognizes and understands; as his woman that is entirely your duty to figure out just what it is), and you've instilled a proper amount of urgency into his being, that he begins to panic that he may just lose you. (I tend to notice that most men operate from a loss-deficit principle. That is, they rationalize what they have to LOSE, not what they have to GAIN). So, we had The Talk. A rough timeline was created: when we want to live together engagement (living together and engagement are interchangeable for us) how long to be engaged when to get married I think it's important to have a timeline. It keeps both parties honest and accountable. Now, if you're not a businesswoman working 12 hour days, across three or four continents or five states, then try to capture that vibe of dynamism and excitement as if you WERE. Try approaching the discussion of marriage from this stance! You may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Related Post Anyone else struggling with FEELING engaged while not officially engaged? My boyfriend and I frequently talk about getting married -- to the point that we have already decided on a wedding date, a venue for both ceremony and receptions, bridal… Read More Related Post I'm ready to get married… but my life situation isn't My partner's been proposing to me, almost as a game, on the semi-regular since we both realised that we were "it" for each other. I want to say yes with… Read More Lina G. PREVIOUS Our microwedding rose ceremony (complete with gender neutral ceremony script!) NEXT Covid turned my hallowedding into an elopement (but it was still magical!) Show/Hide comments [ 0 ] Join the conversation Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign me up for your offbeat awesomeness newsletter! No-drama comment policy Part of what makes the Offbeat Empire different is our commitment to civil, constructive commenting. Make sure you're familiar with our no-drama comment policy. Biz owners & wedding bloggers Please just use your real name in your comment, not your business name or blog title. Our comments are not the place to pimp your website. If you want to promote your stuff on Offbeat Bride, join us as an advertiser instead.