10 Key Activities for Creating Trust
in a Relationship

See also: Trustworthiness and Conscientiousness

There is no such thing as a successful relationship without trust. We can probably all think of a past relationship of our own, or perhaps a friend’s relationship, that lacked trust and resulted in an unhappy situation.

But what is the key to creating trust in a relationship? What can you do to build trust and ensure a healthy relationship in the long run?

Always be there for them

Life is not always perfect, and an unexpected situation may arise out of nowhere: this could be anything - a death, a family issue, a miscarriage and so on. It really does help to have someone to rely on, so being there for your loved one during these misfortunes is critical.

It is all about prioritizing their needs. You can practically show your partner that you are always there to offer your support. If they know you value such feelings, trusting you with emotions becomes part of the game too.

Consistency is key

Be committed about things that make your partner happy. If you have found something that makes them feel good and positive, you need to be consistent and repetitive about it. Building trust takes more than just a single act - instead, it is also about doing it over and over again.

The result? You will end up with a comfortable blanket for your loved one. Trust in a relationship is like a house. You have to place one brick upon another to build a house. The same goes in a relationship. You will have to do one nice thing after another - consistency. Follow through your promises, so your partner knows they can rely on you in the long run.

Quality time comes first

Spend quality time with your partner and you will not regret it. Back home after a long day at work? Leave the phone. Forget about social media. Instead, hang around with your loved one. If you two only go through reels and TikToks, the chances are you will fail to build the relationship you dream about.

Instead, you want valuable chats, constructive conversations and emotional accessibility. You need to stay engaged and actually communicate. Do things that both of you appreciate - instead of wasting hours on your phones, take a road trip. See some nice places and talk about them.

Set some boundaries

This may seem a bit unusual, but then, there are times when your business is only yours. Boundaries will tell your partner how to treat you and the same rule applies from their direction. Without boundaries, chances are your partner will do something that will cross them.

While you two spend a lot of time together and talk about anything, these boundaries are mostly related to things that your partner may not even be interested in. For example, if you are going to be late one night, make sure you communicate this. Your partner will not bug you about it, but will let you handle your own time.

Stick to your promises

This is classic and does not require a brain. You want your partner to trust anything you say. It could be something small or perhaps a big thing. From calling an electrician to actually taking them out on a Saturday night, stick to your promises.

Trust develops when people actually show that they are reliable and can provide the required support when needed.



Avoid bailing on commitments

Commitments come in all shapes and sizes. Life can hit you out of nowhere and you might need to skip calling your partner during your break in work. But then, show up for whatever you have agreed on. Make sure you plan everything in advance, and you are never late.

Following through with everything you plan shows consistency and consistency is mandatory to develop trust. It shows your partner that you know what commitment is - quite important later on in the relationship.

Keep engaged

You may already know how annoying it is to express our feelings without anyone listening. It is a terrible feeling and letting your partner experience it will ruin trust. You need to be engaged into conversation and listen in an active manner. Thoughtful chats are mandatory to build trust.

Be attentive to your partner’s words and overall feelings. Stick to them, rather than checking your social media. Respond in the right tone and let emotions kick in. You can use both verbal and body language to express your attention.

Be vulnerable

No matter how strong you are, or you want to be, do not be afraid to open up. Some aspects can be raw or embarrassing - there is nothing to worry about. Talk about things you think about, such as potential projects or a new investment.

It may not always be easy, but you have to do it. Make eye contact and follow small gestures to understand where you are. Showing your vulnerable side tells your partner that you trust them and they can trust you back.

Consider their needs

More importantly, respond to these actual needs. Active listening comes with acting on the conversation as well. Such things may sometimes interfere with other things, such as watching TV or going out with your friends. It is alright to replan everything and prioritize your partner - this is what builds trust.

Respect is critical

You do not have to be a genius to realize how important respect is - it is one of the main rules of being a human being. Unfortunately, a lot of people take it for granted. Whether you tend to belittle your partner, or you criticize them for certain things, such behavior will ruin trust. With time, trust will be so shattered that rebuilding it will become an impossible task.

Everyone argues every now and then. Come up with some rules if you are in this position. Follow the rules in terms of respect and do not accept things that you would never tolerate. Whether it comes to yelling or cursing, identify the bad things that destroy respect and avoid them. Stick to these rules and your arguments will be more productive.



Guide to Personal and Romantic Relationships

Further Reading from Skills You Need


The Skills You Need Guide Personal and Romantic Relationships

Personal and romantic relationships can be difficult to navigate.

Even those who are highly skilled at personal interactions at work can struggle to translate these skills to their home environment. This book is designed to help you do just that: to take your existing interpersonal skills, understand them better, and use them effectively in your personal relationships.


Bottom line, these are some of the simple, yet often overlooked rules to build trust in a relationship. Some of them make perfect sense, but they are so basic that lots of people forget about them. Keep in mind that small things often make the difference in a relationship.


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