Cultivate Trust

group of friends shaking hands

Imagine you have a friend who always shows up fifteen minutes late, who looks at his phone when you are speaking and loves to start a conversation with, "Don't tell so-and-so I told you this, but…"

Even if you've known this person your whole life, you notice a sense of uneasiness when they are around. Perhaps your shoulders tense up when they call, or you feel nervous when telling them about your day because you know they are probably going to gossip about it with someone else. There is no trust in this relationship, so you don't feel secure – and as a result, you don't enjoy the benefits that a good friendship can offer, including a feeling of deep connection and belonging.