The Difference Between Love and Trust
Relationship advice can be hard to find when it comes to loving and trusting your partner. The same can go for when it comes to loving and trusting a family member or friend. Some may say that loving another person equates to trusting them, however, there can be a significant difference between the two.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines love as “the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration.” Whereas, trust is defined as an “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” These definitions reveal that love and trust do not always simultaneously go together.
Have you ever thought, “Am I supposed to trust the person that I love?” The reality is, sometimes trust can be broken in relationships with your loved ones. Since every relationship is different, our providers can tailor your sessions according to your own unique process within your relationships. Remember, when it comes to relationship advice on trust, it’s important to recognize that trust is a two way street. Trust is not built from the efforts of one individual. If trust is being rebuilt by both people, it takes time, effort, and intentionality to foster genuine trust. Trust is built, or rebuilt, through consistency.
If both people are willing to rebuild trust in their relationship, here are some steps to consider:
1. Learn to acknowledge the pain
It’s important for both people to acknowledge the painful experiences that led to the broken trust in the first place. The easy route may be “sweeping it under the rug” but willful honesty and communication are essential building blocks to forming trust again.
2. Take notice of underlying expectations
When rebuilding trust, it can be common to have underlying expectations that trust will be rebuilt in a certain time frame. Sometimes it may feel that rebuilding trust is taking too long. In actuality, rebuilding trust sometimes has its ups and downs. It’s important to address these underlying expectations and communicate with one another.
3. Do your own individual work
Rebuilding trust with one another also requires doing your own individual work. Sometimes this means moving away from blame and working towards being a healthier version of yourself. This can look like practicing healthy communication, taking accountability for your actions, and even identifying past relationships that make rebuilding trust look like a daunting process.
Understanding the difference between love and trust can give you a say on how you want to navigate through your relationships. Whether it’s with your family, friends, or partners, our providers want to support you along the way.
