Blog Post #13: 

Rebuilding Trust – With Yourself and Others After Abuse

Introduction

Trust is one of the first things to be broken in an abusive relationship. Survivors often walk away with deep scars, not only from the betrayal of their partner but also from doubting themselves. “Why didn’t I see it sooner?” “Can I ever trust my instincts again?” These questions are heavy—but they’re also a natural part of the healing journey.

This post will explore how to gently rebuild trust—with yourself first, and then with safe, supportive people in your life.

Section 1: Trusting Yourself Again

• Honor Your Intuition: Abuse often trains survivors to doubt their gut feelings. Start by listening to those quiet signals again—write them down in a journal and reflect on them.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Each time you make a decision (big or small) and follow through, acknowledge it. This builds confidence in your ability to choose what’s best for you.
• Release Self-Blame: Remember—it wasn’t your fault. Healing starts with compassion for yourself.

Section 2: Learning to Trust Others

• Start Small: You don’t have to dive into deep relationships right away. Test the waters with small acts of trust, like sharing a minor worry with a friend.
• Look for Red Flags: Healthy people respect boundaries, listen when you say “no,” and don’t pressure you.
• Surround Yourself With Safe People: Support groups, fellow survivors, trusted family, or even online communities can help rebuild your sense of safety.

Section 3: Trust in Healing Spaces

Consider therapy, journaling, survivor groups, or faith/spiritual practices. These spaces can hold you while you learn to trust at your own pace.

Reflection Prompts (Free Download Idea)

• When was the last time I trusted my intuition and it turned out right?
• What does “safe” feel like to me?
• Who in my life has consistently respected my boundaries?

(You could bundle these into a styled PDF journal worksheet as a freebie for this post.)

Closing

Healing trust is not about rushing into forgiveness or blind faith. It’s about reclaiming your confidence, strengthening your inner voice, and slowly allowing safe people into your world again. You are worthy of love, respect, and safety—and it begins with trusting yourself.

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