Tell your boyfriend about a new goal that you want to reach and see how he reacts. If he supports you and encourages you to reach for the goal, this is a good sign that he's proud of you. If he's a supportive boyfriend, he likely not only likes that you have goals but also believes that you can achieve them.

Listen to the ways in which your boyfriend expresses his pride. Some ways of wording praise are more meaningful than others. If he seems to focus on your specific accomplishments and performance, instead of simply saying that he's happy with you and your situation, he's expressing genuine pride.

Notice the times in which your boyfriend tries to perk you up even when you've failed. If you tried your hand at something new and didn't succeed, a boyfriend who is proud of you will be proud regardless of the outcome. He will still make you feel like you put forth a good effort despite the end result.

Think about the times that he praises you. If you're seeking approval and asking for his acceptance, he may not be giving it in a genuine way. You shouldn't be dependent on his praise, and he shouldn't feel that the only time you're happy and satisfied with yourself is when he's showing that he's proud of you. However, if he shows his pride for you all on his own, you can bet that he's expressing his true feelings.