11 Key Activities to Establish Trust in Marriage
The more trust exists between a couple, the fewer marital problems arise because trust is one of the most important elements of any relationship. Nothing brings people closer together than trust. When trust is broken, the relationship becomes severely damaging and difficult to overcome.
When we build trust, we can lower our guard and feel comfortable with that person; we know we can trust them completely. When trust is absent, the consequences can be disastrous; remember that trust doesn’t develop on its own and requires serious effort from both sides.SelMagzHere are some ways to create and build trust together.
1. Prioritize the Relationship
When each person feels seen and valued in the relationship, both experience happiness and respect. Using “we” instead of “I” builds a relationship and fosters trust in your spouse.
In marriage, always give 100% of yourself when it comes to trust; this doesn’t mean putting your personal needs aside for your spouse’s benefit. It means doing your best while considering your partner’s thoughts and feelings to foster respect and love.
2. Be Honest with Yourself
People often fear showing their true selves to others because they worry about what others think. When you are with someone you love, you should feel safe enough to reveal your true nature.
By removing your “mask,” you allow your partner to fully trust you to accept you for who you are. Your partner can understand that you are human like them, and being “not perfect” is not a bad thing. If you want a happy life, you must be authentic.
3. Voice Your Concerns, Needs, and Fears
Everyone has worries, needs, and fears. To work together in life, each person must feel secure and express themselves. Whenever you have doubts, fears, or concerns about your relationship, clearly communicate them to your partner. It’s important to express your needs respectfully and clearly.
Your partner can’t assume or guess what you need. They should be able to say “yes” or “no,” and while they might not always say “yes,” they will at least respect your honesty and needs.
4. Choose Your Words Wisely
Say what you mean. Words hold great power. The words you choose can have a deeper impact than you think. Positive words bring us comfort, while criticisms give us negative feelings and harm our self-confidence.
Aggressive words can anger us, while reassuring words comfort us and provide a sense of security. Be mindful of the words you choose and their impact, considering non-verbal communication as well.
Ensure that your tone, body language, and facial expressions communicate the same thing as your words. If your partner sends you mixed messages, don’t assume they have bad intentions; just ask them what they mean. When you both communicate openly and honestly, you build respect and trust.
5. Build Friendship
Friendship is the key to healthy communication; couples who neglect to develop their friendship tend to drift apart. Friendship must be nurtured regularly. A lack of friendship and emotional connection may drive one partner to seek intimacy elsewhere.
6. Be Reliable
To gain your partner’s trust, you must be trustworthy. If you say you will do something, follow through; if you can’t, be honest about it. Choose to be loyal and committed. Remember that being trustworthy is a process and requires effort to maintain a relationship and repair any disconnects.
7. Set Healthy Boundaries
It’s important to establish clear boundaries for yourself and your partner. Boundaries create trust and emotional health, and they are established by those who are emotionally healthy. Healthy boundaries require individuals to take responsibility for their actions and feelings without taking on others’ responsibilities.
Boundaries strengthen you and positively impact your partner in the same way.
8. Be Open to Influence
Marriage researcher and expert John Gottman says that accepting influence from each other is a crucial element of a successful intimate relationship. When couples are unwilling to share power with each other, it leads to discomfort and instability in marriage. Being open to each other’s influence is an attitude and skill that each partner should encourage to foster collaboration and respect.
9. Take Trust Building and Repair Seriously
It is natural to have conflicts or make mistakes in a relationship. Repairing the situation before fights spiral out of control (using humor, pleasant conversation, apologizing, acknowledging feelings, and appreciating your partner) is important.
Successful couples have learned how to manage situations before conflicts escalate. They minimize the extent of their fights and manage their emotions, focusing more on being happy than being right.
10. Acknowledge Challenges
Every relationship faces its share of challenges. Do not shy away from the issues that pose challenges for you and your partner. Be emotionally, physically, and mentally prepared to face challenges with intimacy and acceptance. Understand that every obstacle presents a lesson and an opportunity for growth, collaboration, and fostering love and trust.
11. Focus on the Positives
According to Dr. John Gottman, happy couples express at least five positive statements about each other for every negative one. A good marriage must be a rich environment of positivity. Make regular deposits into your emotional bank accounts and respond more readily to your partner’s needs.
Be more present in your relationship, smile more, touch more, hug more. Have more intimate moments, show more appreciation, and share more time together.
Conclusion:
Trust has the ability to bring you and your partner closer or pull you apart. Developing and nurturing trust within your relationship will help you grow together.
