How to trust again after trust has been broken

Loving someone comes with giving them your heart and trusting them with it.

The sad reality, however, is that not everyone will always live up to your expectations. 

Millions of people around the world have had to deal with a broken heart - be it from a girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, friend, colleague or even family.

After a heart has been broken, it is hard to trust again, but it is possible to move beyond the hurt and regain trust. 

Here's how:

- Talk about your feelings

Let the person who has hurt you know exactly how their actions made you feel. This is the first step in healing and learning to trust again. 

- Understand that we are all just humans and we aren't perfect

Because we are humans and are bound to make mistakes, it is possible that someone can make a mistake that can result in them hurting you and breaking your heart. But, always bear in mind that no one is perfect. If the person that wronged you is sincerely sorry for their actions, give them a chance. 

- Learn to forgive

In almost all relationships, there is going to be a time where you are going to have to forgive. Even though it may not be easy at first, be determined to forgive. Forgiveness is powerful. It frees the one in error and the victim.

- Don't hold grudges

Holding a grudge will only harm you. Choose to let go of the bitterness and embrace the freedom that comes with forgiveness!

- Monitor your thoughts

Trusting again won't be easy if all you do is think the worst about the person who has wronged you. Don't allow your mind to always think negative thoughts towards the person. Be hopeful that they won't hurt you again.

- Don't dwell on the past

You don't have to constantly remind yourself or the person who has offended you of their wrong. You need to move forward and not get stuck in the past.

- Let go of fear

Chances are, a heartbreak might leave you paralysed by fear - fear of being heartbroken again, fear of being taken advantage of, fear of getting it wrong, fear of the unknown. Don't let the fear rob you of what could turn out to be a beautiful relationship.

- Don't expect too much from people

Just because you are choosing to forgive, it doesn't mean the person who wronged you won't ever wrong you again. Chances are, they will. But always weigh up the situation. If they didn't intentionally mean to hurt you, forgive and trust again!

- Don't be hard on yourself

Trusting again after your heart has been broken won't be easy, but if you are determined, it can be done. But before you completely trust, there will be days when you might find yourself still feeling the pain that was caused by the hurt. Don't be hard on yourself. It is normal to sometimes feel like that. Just take it one step at a time. 

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