How do we maintain honesty in relationships, and build trust, when oftentimes struggling with these emotional concepts is in reaction to some sort of situation where cheating may have occurred, or some version of dishonesty. We’ve all experienced cheating, whether in our own relationships or we’ve seen friends/family go through a cheating situation so it’s easy to come back to how those experiences feel. Reflect on a time when you experienced trust issues and anxiety around cheating in a relationship, yours or someone else’s. Describe the situation and your feelings at the time.

Next, think about what caused these trust issues and anxiety. Was it something your partner did or said? Was it based on your own insecurities and past experiences?

Consider how you handled the situation at the time. Did you communicate your concerns with your partner? Did you try to work through the trust issues together, or did you keep them to yourself and let them fester? Did you feel heard after you communicated or did you feel invalidated and unheard.

Now, reflect on what you learned from this experience. Are there any patterns or behaviors that you need to be aware of in future relationships? How can you communicate your needs and concerns effectively with your partner without pushing them away?

Finally, think about what steps you can take to build and maintain trust in your current or future relationships. This may include setting boundaries, practicing open and honest communication, and developing a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. Write down any actionable steps you can take to move forward and build healthier, more trusting relationships.