How to (Re)Build Trust with Your Partner
Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. Without trust, we may find ourselves lost and vulnerable. There’s a whole spectrum of trust — from when you’re building a new relationship to when you’re working to move forward after a betrayal. These things seem to work whether building or rebuilding a relationship*:
Don’t be quick to judge: It’s important for your partner to feel comfortable sharing their feelings with you, especially when you’re starting a new relationship. When your partner comes to you about an issue in their life, listen to them and remind them of your support. If you don’t completely agree, be honest and don’t be hostile. This will show them that they can be open with you.
Realize that no one is perfect: Your insecurities will come up. To strengthen a blossoming relationship, acknowledge your strengths and your weaknesses. If your partner can’t accept them, then they’re probably not right for you. You deserve to find someone who you can confide in, and let you know some of their vulnerabilities.
Don’t keep dirty little secrets: White lies can add up (especially if you’ve been betrayed in the past). They may start out trivial, but can build over time. Eventually, you may find yourself hiding bigger secrets that you really should tell the other person. Even if you think it’s too painful to tell them now, everyone will be better off in the long run. Keep open lines of communication throughout your relationship.
Acknowledge your slip-ups: In order to move past hurt feelings in any stage of a relationship, it’s important to take responsibility for your part. It doesn’t work just to promise someone you won’t hurt them again. You must follow through with that promise –actions speak louder than words.
Spend time apart: If conflict arises, it may be necessary to separate to see how strong the relationship really is. If the relationship is built on a solid foundation, it will stand the test of time.
Be open to compromise: Relationships, both new and long-term, are hardly 50/50. There will inevitably be times when you feel like your partner isn’t pulling their weight and vice versa. When you compromise, both sides come out of it reasonably content, and you get to understand what is really important to the other person.
*Every relationship is different depending upon the circumstances. Some of the above tips may help, some may not.
