It’s no secret that trust forms the foundation of a strong and lasting relationship. It is the glue that binds couples together through the ups and downs of life and if you want to establish a relationship that will stand the test of time, you’re going to need to build an unshakable foundation of trust, together.
Yes, every new relationship should have a certain element of trust in the first place. However, when you are only just getting to know someone, it’s difficult to trust them entirely – and likely for a good reason.
In any case, read on and we’ll share 5 simple steps that can help you strengthen the bond between you and your partner…
1. Open and Honest Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of trust in any relationship. You must establish a safe and open environment where both partners feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
Practise active listening, empathy, and understanding – and be honest and transparent in your communication, even when it’s difficult!
You should also make a point of avoiding withholding information or resorting to dishonesty, as it erodes trust and will be a sure fire way to kill your relationship before it has even begun.
2. Consistency and Reliability
Consistency and reliability are key factors in building trust. If you are constantly letting your partner down, how will they ever truly be able to trust your word?
When you consistently demonstrate reliability, your partner will feel secure and trust in your actions and intentions.
Sure, sometimes life happens and it’s not always possible to keep your promises. That, and it’s perfectly human to make mistakes now and again. Nobody is perfect. However, it’s how you redeem yourself that matters!
3. Trust and Respect Boundaries
Respecting each other’s boundaries is crucial for building trust. Understand and honour your partner’s needs for personal space, privacy, and autonomy.
Avoid crossing boundaries without consent, and communicate openly about your own boundaries as well.
Trust grows when both partners feel safe and respected within the relationship.
So, for example: what do you do if you own sex toys but your partner doesn’t know about it? You have two options:
- Tell them the truth.
- Conceal it from them.
If you tell them the truth and they react poorly: they are in the wrong. It’s their responsibility to respect your boundaries and your autonomy.
If you conceal it from them, you also run the risk of them finding out and feeling betrayed. It’s a double-edged sword; because on the one hand you are under no obligation to tell anyone about what you do in your own personal time, however, you also owe it to a new lover to be completely open and honest with them.
Our advice? Keep no secrets if you want to build genuine and unshakable trust.
4. Accountability and Forgiveness
Addressing mistakes and owning them is essential for trust to thrive as it demonstrates maturity and (more importantly) accountability.
When you make a mistake, own up to it, apologise sincerely, and take steps to rectify the situation! This is the grown-up thing to do and your partner will have a much easier time trusting you if they know that you are big enough to own your mistakes and repent.
Similarly, be willing to forgive your partner when they apologise and show genuine remorse. Holding grudges and refusing to forgive can breed resentment and erode trust over time.
Practice forgiveness as a way to heal and strengthen your bond. If you can’t, your relationship will invariably fail.
5. Building Trust Through Actions
As the saying goes: “actions speak louder than words” and this is especially true when it comes to building trust.
Consistently demonstrate trust-building behaviours such as being reliable, showing empathy, and being supportive.
Keep your partner’s best interests in mind and make choices that align with the commitment you have made to the relationship.
Conclusion
Trust is the bedrock of a strong and enduring relationship and if you are truly committed to your partner and want your relationship to stand the test of time, you need to prove that you are worthy of their trust (and vice versa).
Again, when entering any new relationship, you and your partner both deserve to be given the chance to prove that you are trustworthy.
So, don’t enter a relationship with the expectation of being lied to or let down, as this is an unfair assumption – no matter how poor your previous relationships have been.
We hope that this article has been inspiring for you and wish you the best of luck with strengthening your bond and building a relationship that will stand the test of time!
