Without trust, the primary instinct upon which humanity prevails would crumble – fear would wrap everything inside its dark shadows.
It is perfectly okay to have a few doubts spring up in your brain. But if you have to deal with someone who has severe trust issues, you might feel like there is no purpose in being in a relationship with them.
However, the good news is that there are many ways you can earn the trust of someone you adore. Do note that this process takes a lot of time, compromises, and sacrifices – nothing happens overnight – but it surely is possible.
Below are 7 ways you can make things work with a partner who has trust issues:
1. Be honest
It’s as simple as that. Try to be as transparent as you can with someone who has trust issues. All they want is someone who doesn’t ‘hide’ themselves behind a curtain of disguises. Once they realize that you have nothing to hide, wish them well, and will be there for them no matter what, they might just consider opening up to you. It’s the little things that count.
2. Try to be less defensive
Being defensive has widely been associated with hiding something or lying. When one wants to prove that they are right, they tend to get defensive. One might get irritable, angry, or annoyed when being interrogated about something they didn’t mean to do or say. Although that is likely throwing a tantrum won’t do you any good.
3. Try to understand your partner
We don’t mean that you have to examine each bone in their system, all it takes is a little open-mindedness. Like we mentioned before, trust issues don’t just happen randomly, or overnight. There is some sort of emotional, physical, or mental trauma attached to why one might prefer not trusting someone else. Try to understand why your partner behaves in a specific way and try to talk things out.
4. Communicate with each other
Communication is as essential as being honest is in a relationship. Without healthy, productive communication, your relationship would be static. If you feel like something’s off with your partner, talk to them. What’s the worst that could happen? They might just appreciate your desire to understand them better. Moreover, it shows that you are straightforward and intend to make things work.
5. Try to support them in any way possible
It isn’t your duty to cure your partner of their ‘disease’. However, you can support them in finding a cure for their problems. Try to be a support system for them – like we mentioned earlier, be honest and try to communicate with them – heck, you may even ask them if they’d prefer visiting a therapist. Your constant determination to make things work will be appreciated.
6. Be reliable
Try to be there as much as you can for your loved one. Like we stated earlier, abandonment plays a huge role when it comes to someone developing trust issues – just being there for them whenever they need your help is enough for them to realize you’re always a call away and that they’re not alone this time.
7. Don’t take anything personally
Sometimes it may feel like your partner is launching personal attacks on you. You may feel like you’re being punished for something someone else did. It’s not your fault your boyfriend’s father left him when he was seven. However, it would be your fault if you lashed out at them when they’re already in murky waters. Try to understand that letting go of past demons isn’t as easy as it sounds.
