Build Trust

We all know that trust and communication are the heartbeat of any relationship, but how do you build trust in a relationship when the communication isn’t empowering? When one slips, the other is usually not too far behind. If you’ve been feeling distance, tension, or like every conversation ends in misunderstanding, you’re not alone. The good news? Even when communication feels broken, trust can be rebuilt with intention and practice. Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents

Why Trust Breaks Down in Relationships

First let’s consider the reasons we begin to lose trust in someone in the first place –

Trust rarely disappears overnight. More often, it erodes little by little:

Miscommunication: Small misunderstandings that never get cleared up.
Unmet expectations: One partner feels let down, but the other doesn’t even realize.
Emotional distance: Busy schedules or stress lead to disconnection.
Past hurts or betrayals: Old wounds that resurface during conflict.

When these moments stack up, both partners can start feeling unheard, defensive, or suspicious.

Signs Trust Is Slipping

How do you know if trust is fraying in your relationship? Here are some common signs:

One of you avoids deeper conversations.
Small disagreements escalate quickly.
There’s more defensiveness than curiosity.
You feel like you’re “walking on eggshells.”
There’s a lack of follow-through on promises.

Recognizing these signs early is the first step toward repair.

Practical Ways to Rebuild Trust Through Communication

1. Speak From “I,” Not “You”

Blame pushes people away. Vulnerability invites them in. So stop blaming and shaming and look for ways to come at it with heart instead of judgement –

Instead of: “You never listen to me.”
Try: “I feel unheard when I share something important and it gets brushed off.”

2. Schedule Check-Ins

Trust doesn’t rebuild by accident. Create a ritual—maybe a 20-minute weekly “connection check-in”—where you both share what’s working and what feels hard.

3. Be Consistently Honest (Even in Small Things)

If you say you’ll call at 7, call at 7. If you forgot something, admit it. Small acts of honesty lay the bricks for bigger trust.

4. Listen to Understand, Not to Win

When your partner speaks, resist the urge to prepare a comeback. Instead, repeat back what you heard:
“So what I’m hearing is that you felt dismissed when I changed the subject—did I get that right?”

5. Repair Quickly After Conflict

Don’t let silence stretch into days. A quick acknowledgment can soften walls:
“That argument didn’t sit right with me. I want to understand and make things better.”

For more insights check out some short videos I put together that walk you through it.

Quick Scripts to Use When Communication Feels Stuck

Here are a few simple lines that can help shift the tone:

“I’ve been feeling a distance between us. I’d really like to understand how you’re feeling.”
“Can we slow down? I want to listen, not argue.”
“What do you need from me right now—solutions, or just someone to hear you?”
“Can we start over? I want us to get this right.”

When to Seek Support

If miscommunication and mistrust keep cycling back, it might help to bring in outside support—whether that’s a therapist, coach, or even structured resources designed to help couples reconnect. Sometimes having a guide or a framework takes the pressure off and creates new space for understanding.

Final Takeaway

Trust isn’t built in grand gestures—it’s rebuilt in everyday conversations, small acts of honesty, and the courage to show up vulnerably. Even when communication feels broken, it’s possible to lay down new foundations of closeness and respect.

✨ Want more help? Download my free guide: 5 Relationship Scripts That Rebuild Connection Fast. These simple word-for-word phrases will help you lower defenses and bring the trust back, starting today.

Grab the Free Scripts Here →

And if you’re ready to go deeper, explore my Conflict Mastery Toolkit — a step-by-step system to resolve conflict and reconnect without blame, shame, or power struggles.