Trust
Also known as confidence, faith, reliability
The sense that one can rely on another person, situation, or oneself. A felt confidence that allows vulnerability and the release of hypervigilance.
When met or unmet
When met
- Relying on others without excessive worry
- Believing people mean what they say
- Feeling secure in relationships
When unmet
- Constant suspicion or doubt
- Difficulty depending on others
- Needing to verify everything
Common expressions
I can't trust anyone I know I can count on you How do I know you're telling the truth?
Strategies
- Building relationships through consistent, small commitments kept over time
- Sharing vulnerabilities gradually and observing how they are received
- Being transparent about your own limitations and boundaries
- Reflecting on past experiences where trust was warranted
Recognition questions
- → Do I feel I can count on the people around me?
- → Am I able to let my guard down and be vulnerable?
- → Do I trust my own judgment and capabilities?
Somatic markers
When met
- A softening in the belly and shoulders
- Breath deepening naturally
- A felt sense of ground beneath you
When unmet
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Hypervigilance, scanning for threats
- Difficulty relaxing even in safe environments
Shadow side
- Naivety or blind trust that ignores warning signs
- Placing trust in institutions or people who consistently betray it
- Using trust as a form of avoidance rather than discernment
Cultural considerations
Trust-building varies culturally: some cultures extend trust until broken; others require it to be earned gradually. Institutional trust also varies by historical context.
Related needs
Often confused with
Safety
Safety is about protection from harm; trust is about reliance and confidence in others or oneself.