Quick Take: 5 Ways to work toward building trust with yourself again
Rebuilding self-trust is a quiet revolution—one that starts with showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard. Whether you've struggled with people-pleasing, burnout, or self-betrayal, healing that inner relationship takes time and intention. Here are five simple but powerful ways to begin:
1. Keep the promises you make to yourself (even the small ones)
Start with what feels doable: getting out of bed when you say you will, drinking more water, or taking five minutes to breathe. Each follow-through is evidence to your nervous system that you are reliable.Say “no” when you mean it
Every time you override your “no” to avoid discomfort or disapproval, you chip away at your inner safety. Honoring your boundaries—especially when no one else sees—is a radical act of self-loyalty. Find smaller moments to practice saying no, this acts as preparation to those bigger moments!Reflect on what’s true for you
Ask yourself, “What do I really feel? What do I really want?” Self-trust grows when you stop outsourcing your truth and learn to recognize your own voice beneath the noise. Next time you notice the urge to reach out to someone else for validation or reassurance, stop and check in with yourself first. When I was in a season of untangling what was my reality versus what was someone else’s, I journalled (or even used the notepad in my phone) to word vommit what was true for me—and I tried to do this as soon as I could after something had happened so my emotions wouldn’t become dilluted with other peoples opinions. It allowed me to look back at previous situations and remind myself that what I experienced, thought, and felt was true and is true for me.Allow room for imperfection
You don’t need to do it perfectly to be trustworthy. Self-trust isn’t built on perfection—it’s built on compassion and the commitment to come back to yourself, again and again. So if you find yourself breaking your promises or saying yes when you mean no, allow room for your humanity.5. Get curious instead of critical
When you mess up or break a promise to yourself, don’t spiral into shame. Pause and ask: “What got in the way?” This mindset shift fosters learning over punishment—and builds trust over time. It reminds us that we are imperfect, and yet still so deserving of this effort.
Take Aways
You are not starting from scratch. You're starting from experience. Self-trust is not a finish line; it’s a practice—and every choice to listen inward is a step forward.
I’ll Let you Sit with This
What is a small promise you can make to yourself this week?
Feel free to share your answer in the comments—I’d love to sit with that with you!