10 Ways To Build Trust in a Relationship
Talk Nerdy To Me’s @StaffWriter:
You probably know that trust is essential for any relationship to work well. But did you know that there are ways to build trust?
Well, there are, and I'm going to share ten ways with you.
Trust Builds Trust
Be trustworthy yourself.
If you can't be trusted to keep a promise, don't expect your partner to trust you not to break one in the future. When you act in trustworthy ways, it builds trust between you and your partner.
Follow Through on Commitments
Don't say things you don't mean, and always follow through on commitments when possible. Your partner needs to know that they can count on you.
It doesn't matter if it is a small or larger commitment.
As long as you follow through and do what you said, your partner will trust you more.
Never Lie to Your Partner
This seems simple but don't lie to your partner.
This is very important. If you tell them the truth, you've built trust. If you lie or keep secrets it can damage that trust.
Never deceive or lie in a relationship, no matter how small the detail may seem in the "grand scheme of things," because over time this will escalate into larger deceits that destroy the very fabric of your relationship.
Respect Boundaries
Always respect your partner's boundaries and personal space—even if it means giving them some time alone when they really need it.
Respecting your partner's boundaries shows that you care about them and their feelings. It also shows that you trust them enough to respect their wishes. When you do this, it builds trust between you and your partner.
Seek To Understand
Seek to understand your partner's perspective, rather than simply assuming you know what they're thinking or feeling based on the last time you spoke with them.
When you seek to understand your partner, it builds trust because it shows that you care about them and their feelings. It also shows that you trust them enough to take the time to understand them.
This can help prevent misunderstandings and help your relationship grow stronger.
Don't Micro-Manage Your Partner
Don't monitor or check up on your partner without good reason; if it's necessary, then say so and state a time limit (the same goes for phone calls and text messages).
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship.
But you can't have a strong foundation if you are constantly looking for cracks in it or building walls to hide behind. Trust needs space to breathe and grow—it cannot be suffocated by constant scrutiny.
To build trust, stop micro-managing your partner's life without good reason. By not being paranoid about their whereabouts or who they're with, you'll show that you trust them enough to let them live their own lives, too.
Let Your Partner Be Themselves
Let your partner be themselves and not feel like they must wear a mask around you; it will create an even stronger bond between you both in the long run.
When you let your partner be themselves, it builds trust because it shows that you accept them for who they are. It also shows that you trust them enough to let them be themselves around you.
This can help prevent misunderstandings and help your relationship grow stronger.
Share and Celebrate Good News
Share good news with one another, no matter how small. These bits of exciting information should be shared so that the both of you can share in each other's happiness.
It sounds like a no-brainer. Sharing good news with your partner builds trust.
We're all more likely to share the good stuff than the bad stuff, right? And it's only natural that we want our partner to know what makes us happy and what doesn't.
But sharing good news is about more than just passing on some juicy gossip or bragging rights—it's an important way of showing your partner you care about them and their feelings. It also shows that you trust them enough to let them be themselves around you, which can help prevent misunderstandings and strengthen your relationship in the long run.
Always Support Each Other (Even in Hard Times)
Be supportive and encouraging, and never belittle your partner for mistakes they may make along the way, because everyone makes bad choices and learns from them eventually—it just takes time to grow into a better person.
When you are supportive of your partner, it builds trust because it shows that you care about them and their feelings. It also shows that you trust them enough to let them be themselves around you. This can help prevent misunderstandings and help your relationship grow stronger.
Prioritize Time With Each Other
You can't build trust with someone you never see. Make sure you prioritize time with your partner to maintain a strong foundation in your relationship.
Don't let other people or activities come between you and your partner, because if you can't spend quality time together—meeting each other's needs—then the both of you will be less likely to build trust with one another.
Avoid These 3 Trust-Destroying Habits
Never keep secrets from your partner.
Never give each other the cold shoulder or treat one another with disrespect.
Don't blame your partner for your own mistakes and shortcomings—that's not how trust is built.
Every relationship faces challenges, but it's what you do in those circumstances that defines who you are as a couple (and it can also have lasting effects on your trust in each other).
Never keep secrets from your partner
If you have something to say, then just say it. Keeping secrets builds walls between the two of you because there's always an element of doubt—you never know when they are hiding something from you, too.
Don't give each other the cold shoulder or treat each other with disrespect
A lack of trust in a relationship can often lead to inconsistent behavior, and if that's how you handle your partner when things get tough between the two of you, it will only cause more damage in the long run.
Don't blame your partner for your own mistakes and shortcomings
We all make mistakes, and it's important that we own up to them. Blaming your partner for your shortcomings will only cause frustration and resentment—two feelings that can destroy trust in a relationship.
Remember: you are not perfect, either. Don't expect perfection from anyone else (that includes your partner). Have confidence in yourself and your own abilities, and don't be afraid to admit that you're wrong—it doesn't make you a bad person.
Keep these trust-boosting tips handy, and your relationship will have a good chance of weathering the unpredictable nature of life.
