Mastering Love: A Journey Towards Authentic Connection – 30: The Law of Trust 4

I have consistently reiterated that you can’t demand trust from others when you have not cultivated self-trust. I was having a conversation with a childhood friend yesterday whom I didn’t know had gone through a terrible divorce for so many years and in the course of our conversations it dawned on both of us how what our parents meant for good as children could become a barrier to our growth in adulthood.

She was such a great girl in our younger years and would never attend any party because her mum always warned her about men and how she must never get pregnant. But even now as an adult as we analyzed her life post-divorce, we realized the conditioning to avoid spaces where social network could take place was still evident in her life. We both concluded the real issue was lack of self-trust and the need for her to break free from that fear.

I am sure the big question in the mind of many of us is on how to build self-trust.

Overcoming these challenges and building self-trust is a gradual process that involves introspection, healing, and practice. Here are a few strategies to consider:

• Reflect on Past Successes: Regularly remind yourself of your achievements and times when you've successfully navigated challenges.
• Seek Constructive Feedback: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who provide constructive feedback rather than unfounded criticism.
• Embrace Imperfection: Acknowledge that mistakes are part of the learning process and not a reflection of your worth or abilities. Nothing is as liberating as snaping out of perfection to embracing progress.
• Practice Decision-Making: Start with small decisions to build confidence in your ability to make choices and deal with their outcomes. Step out into open spaces you would have avoided in times past. If you don’t confront your fears you wouldn’t know how cowardly your fear is.
• Cultivate Self-Awareness: Engage in activities that promote self-discovery, such as journaling, meditation, or therapy, to enhance your understanding of your values and desires.

By addressing the root causes of self-trust issues and actively working on strategies to bolster confidence in one's own judgment and abilities, individuals can develop a stronger sense of self-trust, leading to more fulfilling and autonomous lives.