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Trust
It’s fair to say that our ability to trust is influenced by our experiences, which can prove to be a major issue for some people. So, if you’re embarking on a new relationship or friendship, and are keen to develop trust levels all round, here are some tips to get you underway.
Listen – when someone you’re with is talking, listen to them properly and intently. Trust is a two-way connection, and it takes two to tango. As my mother always says: you can’t clap with one hand! Thanks to your active listening, you’ll find that as they open up to you, you’ll begin to feel more confident about opening up in return.
Communicate your worries – if you find it hard to trust due to specific, recent events or past experiences, then don’t be afraid to tell them this. Explain that you really want to learn to trust again. Honesty breeds honesty and will help produce a solid foundation for any relationship.
Take your time – no need to rush into anything. Take it steady to build a new relationship and you’ll find that trust comes with it. Remember your boundaries and stick with them from the outset.
Never assume – set aside your doubts for a period of time. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking and even expecting this person to let you down in a similar way to something you’ve experienced before. You need to give each fresh connection a chance to flourish (or not) on its own terms, so stay present. Focus on the “here & now”, and not the past or the “there & then”.
Take a risk – be bold! Put yourself into a situation where you need to put a little trust into the other person. Book an activity to do together, or arrange to go somewhere new, that will stretch you both outside your respective comfort zones a little, so requiring you to have some faith in each other. You’ll discover a whole lot about your new friend, not to mention what you’ll learn about yourself.