Trust is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
We trust people who have integrity, people whose actions match their words. We also trust people who are kind to us.
However, in this era of uncertainty, it’s becoming more challenging to trust. You should consider yourself lucky if you have friends, family members, or a significant other with whom you can let down your guard. For some, it could be a risky thing to do.
Why Do We Have Trust Issues in Relationships?
In an intimate relationship, trust is all-important. A smooth relationship thrives on honesty and openness. But then, situations occur in a relationship that can generate mistrust and suspicion in one or both partners.
Deceptive communication: This creates an atmosphere of deception and can break feelings of mutual trust. When actions don’t match words or vice versa, there will be problems.
Infidelity: Betrayal of trust has a more damaging effect than the affair itself. Lies about external affairs or other hidden agendas can demolish people’s confidence in their mate’s trustworthiness.
Suspicions: Here, there is a kind of critical inner voice that influences doubts and suspicions. This inner voice engages you in an internal dialogue that makes you start getting cynical toward other people.
Ironically, these inner voices can also be protective. They can caution us about the dangers of being too open, especially in a new relationship.
How Can You Rebuild Trust in a Relationship?
Transparency: Strive to be more honest and transparent in all your interactions. Living with integrity makes you worthy of trust.
Be less defensive: Learn to be less defensive. Instead of being overly sensitive, look for the truth in any feedback or criticism you receive from your partner.
Understanding: Appreciate the differences between you and your partner. Understanding means seeing your partner as a separate individual with his or her own opinions.
Direct Communication: Learn how to communicate your desires more directly. When people are straightforward in what they want, they are open to loving and being loved.
In conclusion, trust matters a lot. It can help preserve the true love that partners feel for each other at the beginning of their relationship.