When it comes to building trust, people tend to focus primarily on external actions that can be observed from the outside world - such as being honest, reliable, and keeping promises.
There is also an important role for internal resources that are less visible but equally crucial to repairing damaged trust. These internal resources include self-awareness, empathy, forgiveness, and resilience.
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness refers to understanding one's own thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. When someone has been betrayed, they may have difficulty recognizing their own emotions and needs, which can make it difficult to rebuild trust. By developing greater self-awareness, individuals can better understand what led them to distrust their partner and how they can take responsibility for their part in the breach. This can help them identify areas where they need to improve and work towards a more positive relationship dynamic.
Empathy
Empathy involves being able to understand another person's perspective and feel emotionally connected to them. After a significant breach of trust, empathy can help build bridges between partners by allowing them to see each other's pain and vulnerability. It can also foster forgiveness and compassion, enabling both parties to move forward with greater kindness and understanding.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the process of letting go of anger, resentment, and bitterness towards someone who has wronged you. It doesn't mean forgetting or excusing the offense, but rather acknowledging its impact while choosing not to hold onto negative feelings. Forgiving your partner can be challenging after a breach of trust, but doing so can promote healing and open up new opportunities for connection.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and maintain hope in the face of obstacles. Building resilience means learning from past experiences and finding strength within yourself to overcome future challenges. After a breach of trust, individuals may feel discouraged and disheartened, but building resilience allows them to persevere through difficult times and cultivate a stronger relationship over time.
Rebuilding relational confidence requires internal resources such as self-awareness, empathy, forgiveness, and resilience. By focusing on these qualities, individuals can work towards repairing trust and creating a more stable and fulfilling relationship dynamic.
What internal resources help rebuild relational confidence after significant breaches of trust?
Researchers suggest that there are several internal resources that can aid in building relational confidence after experiencing a significant breach of trust. One such resource is self-compassion, which involves being kind and understanding towards oneself during challenging times. This can help individuals to feel less alone and more supported while navigating difficult situations (Neff & McGehee, 2015).