227 - Rebuild Real Trust

Trust is one of the most powerful forces in human connection—and also one of the hardest to rebuild when it’s been broken. In this episode, I explore what it means to trust again after growing up in an environment where trust didn’t come easily. Through personal reflection and real-world observations, this conversation unpacks how trust is formed, how it's tested, and how to rebuild it one small step at a time.

Understanding Early Lessons in Trust
Childhood experiences have a lasting impact on how we relate to others. When people around us are unreliable, inconsistent, or hurtful, it’s easy to adopt a mindset of self-reliance and emotional distance. That mindset can follow us into adulthood and shape every relationship we form.

The Circle of Trust: Not Everyone Gets In
Not all relationships require the same level of openness. There’s value in having different levels of closeness with different people—from casual acquaintances to deeply trusted friends. Being intentional about who enters each level of that circle helps protect emotional well-being while still allowing meaningful connection.

The Trust Equation
Credibility, reliability, and intimacy all factor into how much someone can be trusted. But when someone is overly focused on themselves, it weakens that trust. This equation offers a useful framework to assess relationships more clearly and make thoughtful choices about who to invest in.

Looks Can Be Deceiving
Charm and appearance often fool people into thinking someone is more trustworthy than they really are. That "halo effect" can be dangerous, especially when it distracts from consistent, trustworthy behavior. Recognizing this pattern can prevent misplaced trust.

Building Trust Over Time
Trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through small actions repeated consistently—by noticing whether people do what they say, how they respond to conflict, and whether they show genuine care. True trust grows in layers, with each honest moment reinforcing the foundation.

Takeaways:
Trust is essential to living a full, connected life—but it’s okay to start small. Real relationships aren’t about perfection; they’re about reliability, mutual respect, and emotional safety. Paying attention to patterns, being mindful of your own history with trust, and gradually opening up to the right people can lead to deeper, healthier connections. Everyone deserves relationships grounded in trust—and it’s never too late to start building them.

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/trust-or-distrusst/

Jill’s Links

https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJillday

https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI

https://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallsteps (link corrected)

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://twitter.com/schmern

Email the podcast at [email protected]