While it’s perfectly natural to succumb to uncertainty before the big day, some doubts signal that even if you want to get married, you may not be ready yet. No matter how much you love your partner, marriage is not a risk you should be willing to take. Here are eight telltale signs that you might be dealing with more than just cold feet.
Marriage seems like a favor to your significant other
No matter how much you love the one you’re with, marriage should never feel like a compromise. Submitting to this pressure will only lead to resentment in the future, and truthfully there are plenty of other ways to make your partner happy that don’t involve a white dress and bouquet.
You’re not excited to tell people about your engagement
A bride deserves to truly bask in the fact that she has finally found the right person, and not wanting to tell anyone about her future wedding is a red flag. Whether you’re afraid of how your loved ones will react or you’re lacking the necessary excitement, you’re probably not ready to tie the knot if you’re not picking up the phone.
You don’t tell your significant other all of your secrets
If you find yourself hiding parts of your life from your potential fiancé, it’s time to think about why you can’t be honest. Even if you believe that everything before you two met is irrelevant, all of the secrets you’ve kept since might be proof that you’re not ready to share a life together.
You’re not sure if you’re in love or just comfortable
This is for the ladies out there who have been with the same person since college. From time to time, you may wonder if you should have “played the field” a bit more. If this is you, then ask yourself whether you believe you’ve found the one or whether you’re simply afraid to be single after so long.
You can already sense that the passion is weakening
Don’t trap yourself in a marriage under the belief that it’s “natural” to fall into a relationship rut. If you’re craving excitement and you don’t think you’ll find it with your significant other, you may not be ready to take the plunge.
You want to use marriage as a Band-Aid
Couples who are struggling often believe that large romantic gestures such as getting married or having children will fix their relationship. The truth is that problems must be worked out before taking on new responsibilities, and constant dysfunction is a major sign that you’re not ready to be married.
You’re sticking with a time frame
Just because marriage is on your desired track doesn’t mean you’re ready. Rather than setting a marital deadline, you should consider the factors that are vital to your happiness. It won’t matter how young you are when you get married if you’re not satisfied in the future.
You think you’re “supposed” to get married
Society is constantly dropping hints that everyone must get married in order to lead a normal life, yet no amount of social pressure will ever prepare you. Only you can decide when, or if, you get married.
