Learning to Trust Again After Being Hurt

 👉 If someone has betrayed, lied to, or hurt you — trust feels impossible. 

👉 Maybe it was a partner, a close friend, a family member, or even someone on your team. 

👉 As an athlete, you already live in a world where it’s hard to know who’s real — so when trust breaks, it cuts deep.

💥 But trust is something you can rebuild — slowly, carefully, and in a way that protects you without building walls forever.

1. First: Why Broken Trust Hits Athletes So Hard

👉 Being an athlete makes trust complicated:

 🚩 People sometimes like you for what you have — not who you are. 

🚩 Your image, reputation, and career are always on the line. 

🚩 You may have learned to "tough it out" and keep things to yourself — so being vulnerable feels risky.

💥 So when someone betrays you, it feels like proof that opening up was a mistake — and makes you want to shut everyone out.

2. How Do You Know If Trust Has Been Broken?

👉 Trust gets broken when:

 🚩 Someone lies to you. 

🚩 Someone cheats on you or uses you. 

🚩 Someone shares your private life without your permission. 

🚩 Someone promises things and keeps breaking them. 

🚩 Someone makes you feel unsafe or small.

💥 Even if they apologize, your trust — and your heart — might feel shattered.

3. First Steps When You’ve Been Hurt: How to Take Care of Yourself

✅ A. Give Yourself Permission to Be Angry, Sad, or Hurt

💥 You don’t have to pretend it’s fine.

💬 “I’m allowed to feel hurt. This was a big deal.”

✅ B. Take Space if You Need It

👉 You don’t have to decide right away if you want to forgive or walk away.

💬 “I need some time to think about what I want. Please respect that.”

✅ C. Talk to People You Trust (Even if It’s Not the Person Who Hurt You)

👉 Find a safe person: a friend, family, therapist, or mentor.

💬 “I’m struggling to know what to do — can I talk this out with you?”

4. Should You Trust Them Again? Key Questions to Ask Yourself

👉 Before you decide to give trust back, ask:

 💬 “Are they really sorry — or just sorry they got caught?” 

💬 “Have they shown real effort to change, or just made empty promises?” 

💬 “Do I feel safe with them, or still walking on eggshells?” 

💬 “If this was a teammate, what would I advise them to do?”

💥 You don’t have to give trust back just because someone says "I’m sorry." Trust is earned.

5. How to Rebuild Trust (If You Choose To)

👉 If you decide to try to trust again — here’s how to do it slowly and safely:

✅ A. Set Clear Boundaries

💬 “If we’re going to work on this, I need you to be fully honest with me — no lies, no secrets.”

👉 Be clear about what you need to feel safe.

✅ B. Take It Step by Step — Don’t Rush

👉 You don’t need to fully trust them right away.

💬 “I’m willing to try — but this will take time, and I need to see real effort from you.”

💥 Trust is rebuilt by actions, not words.

✅ C. Watch for Consistency Over Time

 👉 Do they keep promises? 

👉 Are they honest even when it’s hard?

 👉 Do they take responsibility without making excuses?

💥 Consistency builds trust. Lies and broken promises destroy it.

✅ D. Communicate What You’re Feeling

👉 Let them know what’s going on inside.

💬 “I’m trying to trust you, but some days I still feel unsure. Please be patient with me.”

💥 If they get defensive or angry about that, it’s a red flag.

6. What If You Decide Not to Trust Them Again?

 👉 That’s okay too. 

👉 You are not a bad person for choosing to walk away from someone who broke your trust.

💬 “I care about you, but I can’t rebuild this. I need to move on for my own peace.”

💥 Sometimes protecting your heart means saying goodbye.

7. How to Trust People Again — Without Closing Off Forever

👉 Even if you decide to end this relationship, you may be scared to trust anyone again.

Here’s how to start trusting carefully:

✅ A. Take Your Time — Trust Is Earned Slowly

👉 Don’t rush into new relationships. Let people prove who they are over time.

✅ B. Set Boundaries Early

💬 “I need honesty and respect — if I don’t get that, I’m out.”

👉 Boundaries protect your peace.

✅ C. Watch People’s Actions, Not Just Their Words

👉 Look for people who do what they say, even in small things.

✅ D. Stay Close to People Who Have Always Been Solid

👉 Friends, family, teammates who have always had your back — lean on them.

8. Final Words — You Deserve to Feel Safe, Loved, and Respected

 💥 Your trust is valuable. 

💥 Not everyone deserves a second chance — and that’s okay. 

💥 If someone has hurt you, it’s their job to earn trust back — not your job to pretend it didn’t happen. 

💥 You are allowed to protect yourself — and you are allowed to trust again when YOU are ready.

9. Take These Reminders With You

 ❤️ “My trust is earned, not given away for free.” 

❤️ “I don’t owe anyone a second chance if they’ve broken me.” 

❤️ “I’m allowed to protect my peace.” 

❤️ “I can trust again — but only when it feels right to me.” 

❤️ “The right people will never make me question my worth.”