Wanting exclusivity after one month: is it normal?

A month in, the most useful signal is consistency, not any one message. Look at how often she starts plans, whether she follows up after you've met, and whether she talks about future things like the wedding or a trip. If she's the one initiating and sounds relaxed, she's probably enjoying things and may already be thinking in a similar direction. If you're doing most of the planning and her replies are fine but flat, she may be enjoying herself without being ready for a label.

Don't over-read a single slow reply. People have busy weeks. What tells you more is whether the overall shape of the last few weeks looks like two people building something or one person keeping options open. Some people also have a history that makes them slow to name things, so a cautious answer doesn't always mean low interest.

A good reply does three things. First, it names the thing you enjoy about the two of you, so she knows the question comes from liking her and not from a checklist. Second, it asks what she's thinking, using an open question she can answer honestly. Third, it leaves room for an answer that isn't yes, which is what makes the answer worth something when it does come.

Avoid making your question a proposal she has to accept or refuse. Also avoid stacking caveats so heavily that the actual question disappears. You want her to be able to say "I like where this is going but I'd like a bit more time" without any awkwardness. If she can say that easily, you'll learn something real.

Once you've asked, the ball is in her court. Give her a reasonable window, usually a few days if she's responsive, longer if she's been slow in general. Don't send a follow-up that repeats the question, and don't go quiet on her as a message in itself. Keep normal contact going at its usual rhythm during that window so the silence doesn't read as a verdict.

If she replies with a clear yes, you can talk through the practical side. If she says she's not ready, thank her for being honest and ask what would help her feel more settled, then let that conversation run its course. If she goes silent for more than a week after a direct question, that's an answer too. Decide whether you want to keep seeing someone who isn't matching your pace, and act on that decision without drama.