Trust serves as the foundation upon which intimacy is built. When we gift a new person a vulnerable piece of ourselves, and that individual responds with respect, love, and attention, trust is established and the seed of connection is planted.

But trust isn’t just about connecting more deeply with another human being. A trusting relationship also helps us connect more deeply with ourselves, allowing ourselves to flourish through the self-awareness and self-love we tapped into. We have confidence that our feelings, needs, and boundaries will be respected and honored.

But what happens when trust is broken and a side of our partner we’ve never seen before suddenly and unexpectedly surfaces? This causes a rupture in the commitments and promises we made to each other.

Heartbreak erodes intimacy, at times leading to self-doubt, overthinking, and powerlessness. You might ask yourself: “Was any of it even real?” We asked this........

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