It is already difficult to overcome trust issues with others, but it is harder when it involves your family. You may have expected that your family is the last on the list of people who are going to betray, humiliate, take advantage of, or manipulate you.
However, you may know at this point that among all people in the world, they have the greatest power to break your trust and hurt you in more ways than one. Having trust issues is a normal response to negative experiences in the past with people you initially deemed trustworthy.
Trust issues may be your number one barrier to communication, comfort, and security within a family. Read on to learn about these steps to work on trust issues with family.
Face The Fear of Hurting
Confront your worries and other negative emotions built around trust. You must acknowledge to yourself why you're afraid and what you're scared of so that you can try to move on.
In the past, many of us have experienced disappointment, so it can be hard to let down our barriers and be open to those around us. But, you have to let go of this fear of hurting to learn to trust.
There are times in life that you will be hurt at your loved ones’ hands, but realizing this and knowing that you will get through it will help you resolve your trust issues instead of fearing it.
Talk Openly With Your Family
Talking it over with your family clearly will help you solve trust issues. Tell your doubts and why they bother you if there are conditions that trouble you. Let your family respond and listen to them.
One helpful way to avoid disappointment is by setting clear expectations for yourself and others. Put yourself first to determine what you want for a little while, and during this time, do not regret being selfish.
It's time to find out what makes you happy, what scares you off. The clearer you express your expectations and conditions, the more you can trust them.
Be calm and polite when speaking to your family. They will become defensive if you accuse them or blame them for things. They may not want to communicate if you look angry or upset.
Be Patient and Don’t Force Healing
Since time is a great wound healer, you need to be patient and give time and space to recover and then start trusting again. A real secret to rebuilding trust in a family is to learn patience.
Trust doesn't have to be willingly given out. It's okay to wait multiple times for people to earn it before choosing that you can count on them again.
Move Forward
This basic idea is easy to dismiss, but being present with your family will help relieve some of the anxieties that cause your trust issues.
When a member of the family has done something wrong, and you've talked about it, solved the problems as best as you could, and then promised to move forward so that they can change and learn from their mistakes, avoid living in the past.
When somebody has done something to hurt you, it's hard to forgive, but when it comes to building trust, you have to give yourself some room from the past’s resentments.
Conclusion
There are no relationships more meaningful than those with our families. We will build relationships and create good memories that will last a lifetime as we strive to develop and retain the trust and to regain it when it has been lost.
Make sure to consider this information if you are struggling to have a relationship with your family, and consider finding a family therapist if you need help.
