How To Help A Person With Trust Issues
Unlocking Trust: A Guide to Helping Those With Trust Issues
Fear of getting hurt often makes folks wary of trusting others. This worry can make it hard to open up, with fears of being used or tricked making things even tougher.
But here’s the thing: trust is the glue that holds relationships together. To build a real connection with someone, you’ve got to show them you trust them first. It’s about being confident and open with the other person.
Want to know how to become more trustworthy? Read on! By feeling more secure in yourself and tuning into the world around you, you can help ease the fears of those struggling with trust, encouraging them to open up.
1. Get Real With Yourself
When trust is an issue, it’s tough to know what to do. Ask yourself: Do you really trust this person? Do their actions match their words? Do they seem to care about you?
If you’re shaking your head “no” to any of these, pump the brakes on trust. There could be many reasons why you’re hesitant. Maybe they fibbed before. Or perhaps they cheated. Whatever the reason, if your gut says “don’t trust,” listen to it.
2. Don’t Jump to Conclusions
If you discover something fishy about someone, dig deeper. Find out where they stand on important stuff. Ask about their past. Try to get the full picture of who they really are.
3. Listen Like Your Life Depends On It
Pay attention to what folks say. Really try to get what they mean. If you’re scratching your head, ask them to explain again.
4. Show You Give a Hoot
Take an interest in others. Even if you don’t see eye to eye, try to walk a mile in their shoes. If you don’t, you’ll have a hard time getting your point across.
5. Believe in Yourself
It’s easy to lose faith in yourself. Don’t let that happen! **You deserve good things in life.** Believe it!
6. Keep Your Promises
Be careful about making promises. Sometimes, we say we’ll do things we don’t mean to follow through on. But breaking promises can cause a world of trouble.
7. Give Credit Where It’s Due
Don’t forget to thank those who help you succeed. If someone gives you advice, show your appreciation.
8. Learn from Your Oops Moments
We all mess up sometimes. It’s part of being human. The key is to learn from those slip-ups. That way, you can avoid making the same mistakes down the road.
9. Own Your Actions
Take responsibility for what you do. If you goof up, say sorry. Then, take steps to fix things. This includes apologizing to anyone affected by your mistake.
10. Say Sorry When You Need To
Apologizing is always a good move. Hurt someone’s feelings? Say sorry. Accidentally break something? Apologize. It goes a long way.
11. Show Some Respect
Respect is key in relationships. Treat everyone with dignity. And keep the potty mouth in check!
12. Zip It on the Gossip
Gossip does more harm than good. It just stirs up bad blood between folks. Gossipers often spread rumors without knowing the facts. They’re just trying to look cool.
13. Respect People’s Space
Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. If you have permission to see private info, only look at what you need to. Otherwise, you might be stepping on someone’s privacy.
14. Keep It Real
Lying is a no-go. It’s not okay. If you catch yourself in a lie, stop right away. Keep lying, and you might kiss your good reputation goodbye.
15. Honesty is the Best Policy
Being honest is super important. It’s the best way to build trust. When you’re honest, you show that you care about others.
16. Be Someone People Can Count On
If you’re trustworthy, people will trust you. And when people trust you, good things happen.
17. Listen More Than You Talk
When someone’s talking, really listen. It’s way better than just waiting for your turn to speak.
18. Don’t Cut People Off
Let others finish their thoughts before you jump in. Interrupting makes people feel uncomfortable.
19. Show Some Gratitude
A little appreciation goes a long way. Show someone you value their opinion, and they’re more likely to help you out. Plus, it can make you feel better too.
20. Say Those Magic Words: “Thank You”
Thanking people makes them feel good. It lets them know they’ve done something worthwhile.
How to Approach Someone With Trust Issues
Be gentle when approaching someone with trust issues. They might have been through some tough stuff that makes it hard for them to trust.
Often, people with trust issues might seem cold or unfriendly at first. Don’t take it personally – it’s not about you, it’s about their past hurts.
You can help by not pushing too hard. Remember, they might find it tough to trust because they’ve been through a lot of pain.
The Bottom Line
To help someone with trust issues, you’ve got to be trustworthy yourself. Prove that you’re worthy of trust and deserve respect. Once you’ve shown you’re reliable, you can start building trust with the person who needs it.
This guide is perfect for anyone looking to build stronger, more trusting relationships. Whether you’re dealing with trust issues yourself or trying to help someone else, these tips can make a world of difference. Give them a try and watch your relationships grow!
Author: Michelle Landeros, LMFT
Michelle Landeros is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT). She is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families thrive.