When you’re getting ready to propose, sometimes the rule is “better safe than sorry.” After all, you don’t want to decide this is the first time you want to sky dive or scuba dive with a sign/banner popping the question. But you could drop the sign, hurt yourself, decide that you don’t actually like to do this new thing you’re doing… the possibilities are endless.

But you want to take a leap of faith, don’t you? After all, you are doing the same thing while proposing, so what’s to say it’s not a good idea to step out of your comfort zone?

Well, here are four yays and nays for you to help you make up your mind.

Yay… Something creative that may be something she likes to enjoy.

Does she like to salsa dance, or maybe she likes to go kayaking, and you’ve never tried? Surprise her by taking some lessons or going on a trip without her, and then turning around and do it with her. Much to her surprise, she won’t have to give you step-by-step instructions for you to keep up with her.

Nay… Decide this is the first time you are going to do something together.

Unless you guys are adventure seekers who want to climb Mt. Everest together (and you’ve been preparing), now is not the time to try and be like other people and do an over-the-top-adrenaline-rush proposal. While it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and do something new, while you’re proposing isn’t the time for an over-the-top choice that could fail and completely ruin your mood.

Yay… Public is Priceless.

You may not be a person for a performance, or to make speeches in front of other people (even your family), but if you’re sure of her answer and you know she wants it documented– take this time to step out of that box and ask her to marry you in front of some people. Even if that just means friends and/or family, it will mean so much to her because she of all people will know that you are making an effort to be more public about your feelings for her.

Nay… Something that will embarrass her.

You may enjoy pulling jokes on each other, but doing it in front of others to embarrass her to do the “ultimate gag” is probably not the best idea. Now, if you two do this to each other anyway, go for it! But if you don’t, don’t choose your proposal to be that moment. It doesn’t have to be a ridiculous gag, either. If she doesn’t enjoy being pulled on stage and gets embarrassed easily, these are things to keep in mind! You want to focus on both of your comfort zones.

Emily