#rebuilding trust

[kybercrystals94]

Again 

Read here on Ao3!

Angstpril 2024 | Day 27 | Prompt 27: Panicked 

Bad Things Happen Bingo Prompt: Paralyzed by Fear 

Rated: G | Words: 446 | Summary: Crosshair struggles as they approach the facility on Tantiss. | Character Focus: Crosshair, Hunter, Wrecker

“...with me, Cross, breathe with me,” Hunter’s voice is saying. 

“I can’t, I can’t,” Crosshair chokes out, “I can’t go back, Hunter, please…” 

Hunter pulls back a moment and takes off his helmet, allowing Crosshair to see his face. “Listen to me,” he says, reaching out and catching Crosshair’s trembling hand. He holds it tight, and it hurts, the way Crosshair’s knuckles grind together in Hunter’s grip. “I’m not going to let them take you. You will not be their prisoner again.”  

“You don’t know that,” Crosshair whispers, “You can’t promise that. We promised Omega…” 

“I know,” Hunter breathes. He leans forward, presses his forehead against Crosshair’s. “I know. But I will give my life before I let them take any of you again. That I can promise you.” 

Crosshair doesn’t like that promise. He doesn’t want that promise. “Don’t say that,” he growls, though the quaking panic rattling his lungs makes it come out like a broken sob. Maybe it is. 

But Hunter doesn’t retract the promise as he pulls away, still gripping Crosshair’s hand. 

“Sarge,” Wrecker says, standing over them, watching for patrols while Crosshair falls apart. “We gotta…” he doesn’t finish the sentence, doesn’t need to. 

We gotta go. We gotta go into the facility. We gotta find our sister. We gotta…we gotta…gotta…gotta…

Crosshair hates the whining sound he makes as another wave of panic crashes over him. I can’t. I can’t do this. Please, please don’t make me do this. Hunter…please…

Crosshair realizes he’s been verbalizing the thoughts of his tortured mind, letting them escape his lips like blood from a seeping wound, when Hunter replies to the spiral of anxiety. 

“Our chances are better together, Crosshair,” Hunter says, gentle firmness and calm. “We need you. Omega needs you.” And Hunter continues to exaggerate steady breaths, wordlessly inviting Crosshair to follow the pattern. He tries, pulling quavering breaths and shuddering exhales. Weak, weak, weak, weak…

“Cross,” Wrecker says, “You know we got your back, right?”

Crosshair manages to lift his head, look up into the familiar, expressionless visor of his biggest brother. He can’t trust his voice, so he simply nods, short and tight. 

Wrecker tips his head. “You can trust us,” he offers, and then adds, carefully, “and we trust you. You got our backs too, yeah?” 

Crosshair’s throat constricts, but this time it isn’t the panic or anxiety that makes it hard to breathe. He forces another steady breath. And another. And another. 

They trust him. They’re counting on him. His brothers. His sister. 

“Yeah,” he finally answers when he can trust his voice not to fracture on the syllable. 

He has to do this. 

END

@the-little-moment, @just-here-with-my-thoughts...*squints* I can see the finish line! We're so close!!

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[alexispink31]

I crave INTIMACY desperately, but when I’m touched I pull myself away. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to allow anyone in my life.. I am triggered when I am hugged, kissed, admired by others and yet I disagree with them all.

[thatonebirdwrites]

I wrote this in September 2023 about Forgiveness and Repair on Mastodon. Wanted to share here (Edited for clarity).

Content Note: discussion of abuse and conversion therapy

Thoughts on Forgiveness

A lot of people believe that forgiveness is necessary for healing, and that forgiving others is crucial. That forgiveness is for other people.

Those are all false.

Forgiveness cannot be realized or become authentic if the person who caused the harm does not engage in repair. Forgiveness isn't just words -- it's a process that requires a foundation of repair before it can be fully realized.

Forgiveness is never about forgetting. It's never about leaving it in the past. To forgive and forget isn't true forgiveness, instead, it's simply denial. The harm still happened. The hurt still lies coiled within the survivor. Trust is still broken.

The person who did the harm? They must hold themselves accountable and engage in repair if healing is to be found. But even then, it is up to the survivor (the one hurt) to decide if they wish to even participate in that process. Honoring that decision is crucial. Repair cannot be forced. It must be consensual.

Without repair, those that caused harm are likely to do the harm again. So it ends up a cycle, where the person causing harm demands forgiveness but yet continues the harmful behavior.

Forgiveness is a bridge that the survivor builds atop the foundation of repair, but that bridge will fall if there is no foundation to hold it up. If the repair by the one who harmed is inauthentic, then the foundation is flawed and cracked. And the bridge will disintegrate.

I have been there, where I tried to build forgiveness bridges in a wild hope that things will improve, that healing could happen. Except, the other person refused to engage in repair, and that hope turned to despair and bitterness.

Instead, the person build faulty foundations, called it accountability, and my forgiveness bridge shattered every time. I fell into the turbulent rapids of pain due to the cycle of harm that did not stop.

I used the words "I forgive you" as a shield to de-escalate the harm before it reached really scary levels, but my words weren't authentic at that point. It was only said to help me survive a bad situation. The one harming me had no intention of engaging in repair, thus it was healthier for me to exit that entirely.

Forgiveness cannot be healing if the harm continues to happen. The wounds from the harm hasn't been given space or care to heal. If someone continues to stab you, your stab wounds will never heal.

You must exit the situation to find healing.

Repair -- Or for those that cause harm how to repair that

By engaging in repair, trust is slowly rebuilt, healing is given space to happen, and that opens up the possibility of forgiveness.

Repair is accountability. Repair differs based on situation and persons involved. One way it can look:

Acknowledge harm done and impact.

Offer repair and ask if the other is open to it. (Consent is always crucial).

Offer ideas on repair and ask the other what their ideas of repair may look like. Be willing and open to this process as it won't be easy.

Follow-through on the agreed upon repair. This builds the foundation of trust.

Communication is crucial as is consent. Hold oneself accountable.

By holding oneself accountable and doing actions to repair the harm, one shows that trust is possible again, that healing of the relationship/friendship is possible.

The forgiveness bridge cannot exist without the foundation of repair completed by the one who harmed. It is the survivor's choice to build that forgiveness bridge or not. No one else can make that decision for the survivor.

Forgiveness as a Process

Forgiveness is a process and demand for a better present and future. It is a reflection on the past and its impact.

Forgiveness is a hope that things are and will continue to improve, that the repair is authentic, and that healing is given space to thrive.

For that healing of relationships/friendships/etc to actually happen? For that hope to be fulfilled?

Repair must be done.

Forgiveness is more than words. It's a process.

A process that starts with the other holding themselves accountable and engaging in repair with the consent of those involved. Again, repair cannot be forced. Through this, those involved rebuild a foundation of hope and trust.

In this process, something new is built in the ruins of the old. We can't ever return to what was, but we can build something from the remains of that. Or we can burn the remains and build a different foundation with the consent of those involved. How the healing journey manifests is unique to each of us, and no one journey will ever look the same as another's healing journey.

Forgiveness is not necessary for healing, and it is okay for a survivor to choose to not build that bridge. It's okay to not forgive the harm done.

Forgiveness and repair are simply a process for rebuilding, which is a journey we can take or we can choose not to take. Each of those possible decisions are valid.

My Story as an Example

I'm a survivor of conversion therapy. I had a friend who pushed me to do it, because that was what she'd been taught. She'd been saturated by anti-LGBT messages, so that was all she knew.

After I escaped and started my healing journey, I still talked with her off and on.

She asked for forgiveness once, and I replied, "Can I trust that you won't do this to me again? Or to anyone else?"

She looked at me and considered my question with an intensity I'd never seen from her before, and she said, "Yes. I will work toward that, and I hope I can earn it back."

She followed through and proved that her words were true. That is when I realized I could forgive her, because she engaged in repair. Because she showed that she meant it.

That friend build a strong foundation, proved she was trustworthy, and so I decided it safe enough to place my forgiveness bridge on that foundation.

In contrast:

My parents, who drove me to conversion therapy, still to this day refuse to acknowledge the harm. They often gaslight me about it. Sometimes mocking me if I bring it up.

When I asked that same question of whether I could "trust them to not do the harm again," they gaslit me instead and engaged in DARVO tactics (Deny, Accuse, Reversed Victim and Offender).

I realized they had no intention to ever acknowledge the harm, to ever engage in repair. They refused to even admit they hurt me.

Without that intent to repair and the follow through, I realized there was no repair foundation being built. Every time I tried to place my forgiveness bridge, it fell into the rapids of abuse and despair. There was nothing to hold it up.

So I walked away. It took me almost eight years to finally walk away, to cut them out of my life for my safety and health.

It took me that long because I misunderstood what forgiveness was at first. I thought if I told them I had forgiven them, that it could somehow repair things.

But it can't.

Saying "I forgive you" to someone who hurt you and continues to hurt you will not repair things. The other person's behaviors and thoughts are outside our control -- they must choose to repair. I cannot make that decision for them.

In regards to my parents, my hope of things improving, of healing happening, of being able to repair that broken relationship? That was destroyed again and again with their refusal to engage in repair.

Thus my words "I forgive you" became meaningless; they served only to soothe my parents' egos rather than aid in my own healing.

It is why I had to stop. Why I had to walk away, because staying in such a situation was hurting me.

It was one of the hardest decisions of my life to cut off my parents, but healing from that sort of toxicity cannot happen while still trapped in that toxicity.

Only when I was free of it could I start to heal from it. That does not in any way mean I forgive my parents. How can I when there is no intent of repair or follow-through?

Conclusion

The person who caused harm, who wants to engage in repair, must step up and say, "I acknowledge that I hurt you. I want to repair that. To earn back your trust. I have a few ideas on how to do this, but are you open to repairing this? And what would be best for you?"

That acknowledgement and offer of repair starts the process of laying out a foundation for the bridge. Then the necessary follow through of actually doing the repair builds up the foundation, so that forgiveness may be realized.

No one is owed forgiveness. No one is owed repair.

We all must make those decisions on what we are capable of handling in regards to repair, forgiveness, and connecting. It is valid and okay to not be ready for reconnecting with someone who hurt you. It's okay if it takes time to build up toward that or to not engage at all in it.

Our healing journeys are all unique. Who we engage with in our healing journeys is up to us to decide. No one can (or should) make that decision for us. We decide what we are capable of handling.

We are valid as we are. We owe no one forgiveness. Do not forget that.

[ziggy-strdust]

At That Moment I Should Have Left Part 2

A/N: This directly follows ending to part 1. The next parts will be if you stay with Shigaraki,I have also have an alternative version where you get revenge with Dabi. (Let me know if y’all want that one posted as well.) 

This one is on the spicy so Please IF YOU ARE NOT 18 PLEASE DON’T READ

 ---------Now onto the story---------

Tears prick the corners of my eyes. Quickly wiping them away I grab the remote and pull up the Hulu app selecting IT. As the opening credits start up he walks in with a tray and an assortment of snacks, a bottle of my favorite strawberry wine and a couple of glasses. He sets them down right next to his phone, not even bothering to check it or pick it up. He grabs one of the glasses, handing it to me then grabbing the wine and pouring me a glass.

“Here love, I also grabbed that popcorn you love and I was able to find the strawberry and white chocolate truffles.” He has a light tone, a small smile creeping up at the corners of his mouth. He lifts the small plate containing two normal chocolate truffles and five strawberry ones, grabbing a strawberry one from the plate he holds it up to my lips. I lean forward a bit lightly biting into the top. The combination of flavors hit my tongue and I moan slightly, these have always been my favorite and an easy way to butter me up. Pulling away I smile at him scooting to closer him leaning against his shoulder. As the movie progresses Tomura jumps at any little thing making me giggle. “Oh hush you. You know I don’t handle scary movies well.” He nudges me. I flop dramatically to the other side, laying against the arm of the couch lifting my feet up. I place them on his legs. He rests his hands, my shins rubbing up and down. He has not once tried to reach for his phone or even glance at it.

“Hey Tomo your phone went off a bit before the movie.” I casually drop that into the air.

He just shrugs looking over at me, “Eh it can wait whatever it is. I’m enjoying spending time with just you.” That answer surprises me, a blush starts to creep up on my cheeks. He just laughs and turns back towards the movie, right as Pennywise is doing his dance. I feel him shudder, “Now that is a sight I would never want to walk in and see. He is simply terrifying.”

“Oh don’t be a baby, he's not that bad.” I giggle in response, “It’s not like he is real.”

“But he is still scary. I mean do you see those teeth, I would have peed myself if I was one of those kids.” Tomura confesses. As the movie ends I am dozing off lightly when Tomura suddenly moves beside me. Jolting awake I groan rubbing my eyes, as I sit up yawning. Looking over at my boyfriend I see that he has his phone in his hand, his mouth is pulled into a frown, eyes harden.

“What’s wrong Tomo?” I question as I sit up leaning on his shoulder looking down at the screen of his phone. The notification that one that haunted me, how could I have forgotten about that? I stiffen starting to pull away from him, he immediately reaches out trying to hold onto me. I slap his hand away. “No you don’t get to touch me. Have you really been talking to her again?” I sit there staring at the photo of us on the coffee table. It’s from our 3 year anniversary when he surprised me with a trip to the pumpkin patch and we did a haunted tour that night. Tears start to build in my eyes. I thought we were past that, he promised we were past that.

“No, I haven’t spoken to her since that day. I have no idea why she is messaging me now. I made it very clear to her that I was over it and that you and I were working on things. Even Toga and Dabi jumped in when she would try and open into a jump with us. They would instantly kill her over and over or they would kick her out of the server if they could. I would make sure that she wasn’t in one of the rooms if I wanted to play a certain game that we had in common. And if she was, I would wait for her to leave that game, or I would go pick a different one.” The honesty and desperation in his voice make me want to believe him. But that nagging little voice in the back of my head is telling me not to.  Why would she suddenly just messaged unless they have been talking still. She is obsessed. Maybe there is something more to it. I hate this. I want to be able to trust him, but he really broke that. I put my head in my hands letting the tears fall. Feeling broken, the small crack that was starting to mend, suddenly spider webbing and shattering into a million little pieces. I can hear him panicking next to me, trying to talk to me, trying to get me to listen to him. “Please, I haven’t been talking with her, I swear. Baby please. I haven’t been. I can try and prove it to you. Just look, there are no messages between us on here.” He gently grabs one wrist pulling it away from my face showing me his phone. He wasn’t lying. The last message on there was from before I caught him. But my gut is still turning with the thought of her being in contact with him. I hate feeling this controlling of him.

“If I ask you, will you block her? On everything?” My voice is small, cracking part of the way through that sentence. He pauses, my heart feels like it stops beating. Then his hands are moving, going to her contact information, scrolling down to the block button and hitting it. A small weight feels like it is lifted when he does that. My trust in him just rose a bit. Still cautious, he hands his phone over to me showing me. I nod my head handing it back, giving him a small smile, he relaxes. Leaning back against the couch we sit in silence. Both of us were just processing what had just happened and all the emotions that it caused.

“Do you want to take a bath?” His voice is shaky as he stands holding his hand out to me. I gently take it as we make our way down the hall. “Go pick out some pjs and I’ll get it started ok?” I nod walking down the hall to our bedroom, opening one of the drawers as I look through my options. Hmm to go sexy or do casual, maybe sexy casual? I pull out two sets, a light blue silky bralette and pair of short shorts then a black lace bralette, a pair of black lace panties and a small pair of pink striped shorts and a matching robe. Looking between the two I decide on the blue set, not feeling overly sexy right now. I then go to his drawer looking for a pair of boxer briefs and a shirt if he wants one, as I grab a pair of boxer briefs that are similar to my set, noticing an odd lump under the next few pairs, me being curious I move them over. Once I do, I uncover a velvet box. My breath catches in my throat, oh holy shit is that what I think it is. My mind is at war with itself, half wants me to open it and the other half wants me to leave it alone. I lightly touch the top of it, not going to open it, as soon as my finger makes contact with the top Tomura’s voice calls out letting me know that the bath is ready. I quickly jerk my hand back, covering it back up and making my way out of the bathroom.

Making my way back to the bathroom, I gasp when I walk in to see him waiting for me. I take in the sight, the bath is steaming, the smell of honey and almonds fill my nose. There are a few candles set up around the tub. The wine and truffles sitting on the bath tray. My favorite lofi playlist is playing in the background. I look at my boyfriend, who is extremely nervous, fingers twisting in his shirt. “I love it.” He visibly deflates, giving me a smile. He leans down pressing a gentle kiss to my lips, I press back allowing for the kiss to continue on. Gentle running his tongue along my bottom lip, I part them slightly to tease him before closing them again and pulling away. I hear him whine slightly from the lack of contact, when he opens his eyes he blushes. His eyes never leaving mine I reach the hem of my shirt slowly bragging it up my torso when I reach the bottom of my bra I turn it around pulling it off the rest of the way. Allowing it to fall to the floor, I hook my thumbs in my shorts sliding them down my legs. Stepping out of them I turn back to him in just my sports bra and a pair of boy shorts. He is standing there leaning against the counter, a small smile on his lips, blush spreading across his cheeks. He doesn’t try to reach out and touch me; he is just staring, his eyes dragging up and down my body. As if he is trying to memorize every inch of me. Taking the three steps to close the distance between us, I wrap my arms around his neck. Pressing my lips to his again, his hands wrap around my waist pulling me tight against him. His lips wander down my jaw, nipping at the corner then making his way down my neck. He latches onto my just under my ear, sucking and biting. He keeps moving down, biting down on my collarbone. Gasping, I look down as he latches lips to the top of my right breast sucking a smark there. Moving even further down his hands move up fingertips to the edge of my bra lightly pushing it up. Eyes look up at me, “Can I?” nodding my head he stands again, fingers gripping the edge and pulling it up over my head. “You are literal perfection” before I could reply he dips his head back down, lips wrapping around one nipple and fingers going to the other. The biting and twisting sensations make me gasp clutching the back of his head, fingers twisting in his hair pulling slightly. He pulls on switching sides, opening his eyes. He looks up at me, eyes filled with promises and love. Pulling off that nipple he gently kisses down my stomach biting lightly at the pouch that has formed over the years. The moment his lips make contact I suck in slightly not wanting to be found unattractive. Biting down it takes me by surprise, causing me to gasp. “Stop that like I said perfection, don’t suck in. I love every inch of you.” He continues his path down. Reaching the top of the boy shorts he gently runs his fingers along the outside of my thighs then moves to the inside, making me squirm. As his finger brushes against the damp spot on my underwear he lets out a light laugh. Gently pressing his finger upward I gasp out.

“Tom-m-moo. Don’t tease please.” Whining to him just wanting him to continue. He hooks his fingers in the waistband, yanking them down and letting them pool at my feet.

“Spread your legs a bit, baby.” He nudges against the inside of my thigh. Slowly moving my legs further apart, I can see the look of desire flare in his eyes. “God I love you.” Before I could reply he is eating me out like a man on death row who just received his final meal. His tongue strokes up, lips gently suck on my clit as his fingers slowly work their way inside me. Two gently stroke up curling with a precision that only he has mastered over the years. The double stimulation causes an orgasim to creep up faster than expected. With another curl of his fingers I feel the crashing sensation of it ripping through me. A long drawn out moan comes from my lips, knees buckling making me cling to the counter, unable to stop him from continuing.

“Tomo, please more.” Wanting more and more. He doubles his energy making me feel like the most beautiful girl in the whole world. After making me cum one more he pulls back wiping his face with his shirt, crashing lips into mine. Licking into each other's mouth, the taste of my cum sits on his tongue. Moaning, I reach down feeling dick through his pants, with the first contact it jerks. Grasping it in my hand I move up and down. Reaching for the button of his pants I pop open his jeans looking at his eyes. “Can I?” He nods so fast I thought he was going to give himself whiplash. Pulling down the zipper I push them down along with his boxers. Wrapping my hand around his dick, I start moving my hand up and down. Squeezing towards the base, twisting around the head. I start going faster when I notice his moaning is turning into higher pitched whines. “You close Tomo, want me to keep going?” He nods, leaning back against the counter.

“Please baby, I’m so close. I just want to cum. I’ve missed this. You are perfect. I lov-“ Flicking my wrist just right he cums all over my hand and some lands on his chest. I continue stroking up and down until he hisses from overstimulation. Bringing my hand up I lick it clean. His eyes bug out, “God if I hadn’t just cummed, I would have at that sight.” Pulling me towards the tub, holding his hand out I step in sighing in delight at eh warm water. Sinking down the water sits just at my chest level. He doesn’t immediately follow me into the tub, I reach a hand out for him. “One second baby I need to check on something ok?” Nodding my head he walks out the door footsteps padding down the hallways. Sighing I lean back, closing my eyes enjoying the music and the warmth of the water. I hear his footsteps pad down the hall again, walking back into the room I see he has my phone in hand. “Just in case you wanted it” He says as he places it on the tray. Tomura slips in behind me pulling me against his chest, reaching out and grabs the glass of wine bringing up to my lips. I sip the wine a few times, pulling back he snags a truffle holding it out to me. I bite into it enjoying every bit of it. “I love you baby. I’m sorry I fucked up so badly.  I am honestly working on it. And I will continuously work on it for the rest of my life. But I have something to ask you love, if you say no that is fine I know I have a lot of work to do to get back to the level of trust I had. But I was wondering, WIll you marry me?” He opens his palm, in it rests a hazel ring with a black pear shaped diamond. I gasp a few tears slip down my cheeks, turning in his grasp I throw my arms around his neck. Crashing my lips onto his. Pulling back I have the biggest smile on my face. “I would like to hear you say it please.” His voice is small and hesitant.

“Yes, I will marry you. I love you. I can see you are really working at earning my trust back. I love you. Now put it on my finger.” Holding my hand out to him, he slides it on. It fit perfectly, looking down at it I can’t help but smile, it is absolutely perfect, I could not hope for anything better. He leans his forehead against mine. Closing our eyes we just enjoy each other’s presence. Pulling back after a minute I reach for my phone. “Can I post it?” He nods against the side of my neck, opening my camera. I hold out my hand, having it focus on the ring the background blurred. Snapping the photo I go to my instagram account, posting the picture with the caption,’Guess who said yes!’ Immediately notifications come in, I giggle, turning it off and tossing it on our clothes. “I love you Tomo.”

“I love you too baby.”

[emmaliee]

The Fragile Thread: Can Trust Be Restored After Betrayal?

Can trust be restored once it's broken, or is it forever damaged? This question lingers in the hearts and minds of many who have experienced betrayal. Trust, the fragile thread that binds relationships, can be ripped to pieces in an instant but takes a lifetime to build. When that bond is broken, the pain and disillusionment can feel insurmountable, leading one to wonder if the pieces can ever be put back together.

Rebuilding trust requires immense effort from both parties. It demands honesty, transparency, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. The one who broke the trust must show genuine remorse and a commitment to change, while the one who was betrayed must find the strength to forgive and the patience to rebuild. This process is neither quick nor easy; it is fraught with setbacks and requires continuous effort and reassurance.

However, some believe that once trust is broken, it can never truly be restored. The shadow of doubt lingers, and the fear of being hurt again can overshadow any attempts at reconciliation. The relationship, though it may continue, is forever altered, marked by an invisible scar that serves as a constant reminder of the past. Trust, once lost, might be irreparably damaged, leaving both parties to navigate a new, uncertain dynamic.

Ultimately, whether trust can be fully restored or remains forever fractured depends on the individuals involved and the depth of the betrayal. Some relationships emerge stronger, having faced and overcome their darkest moments. Others, however, may find that the chasm created by broken trust is too wide to bridge, leading them to part ways or redefine their connection. The answer lies not in a universal truth, but in the unique journey of each relationship.

[notyourplayertwo]

I made this for couples with one partner who’s anxiously attached with an avoidant attachment.

It’s rough.

[robert-m-german]

Rayllum: Rebuilding Trust and Love

Rayla: Callum, do you want me to leave Katolis? Because if you do, I’ll understand.

Callum took a long, considered look at Rayla. So much pain and hurt was running him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to make it easy by letting her slip from his sight a second time around. There was only one way to resolve this angst between them.

Callum: I want you to tell me where you’ve been in the last two years. For us to move forward, I need closure. And I think you do , too.

Rayla gaze upon the human she fell head over heels in love with.

She noticed something was different about him.

Different and new. Such air of mature clouded the face that use to be a boy, but was now transforming into a man.

As High Mage of Katolis, he never looked this good. Rayla couldn’t help it; Callum looked so handsome in this.

So many she missed out after two years. While she was hunting Viren in the wild all by herself. For he was the only one knows what happened to her parents. And Runaan. 

Some broken part of her wanted to reach out and touched his face gently. But she knows he’ll pull away from her instantly.  She loved him so much it hurt the night she wrote that letter and disappeared from his life for his protection. But she made her choice. Knowing that would hurt him bad. 

If it could be different before than ...

Rayla conceded defeated and looked wounded and vulnerable. Tears were starting to stream. She nodded. 

She has to tell him everything and stop pretending that after coming back two years later and everything was going to be like it use to be. 

Even if this love will end. 

Even if he walks away from her. 

Rayla: You’re so right. I owe you an explanation a long time ago. And you deserve better. I’m going to tell you everything. 

[apcseo]

Rebuilding Brand Reputation: Strategies for Restoring Trust

In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies for rebuilding brand reputation and restoring trust after facing a crisis.

Understanding the Impact of Brand Reputation

When a brand faces a crisis, its reputation can be significantly impacted. A negative brand reputation can lead to decreased customer trust, loss of business, and damage to the brand's overall image. It is crucial to understand the impact of brand reputation in order to effectively navigate a crisis and rebuild trust.

One key aspect of understanding the impact of brand reputation is recognizing that customers often form opinions based on their perception of the brand. If a brand is associated with negative experiences or values, customers are likely to have a negative view of the brand. On the other hand, a positive brand reputation can result in increased customer loyalty and advocacy.

Furthermore, brand reputation can also affect the perception of a brand's products or services. Customers may be hesitant to purchase from a brand with a damaged reputation, even if the specific product or service is of high quality. Understanding these dynamics is essential for formulating effective strategies for rebuilding brand reputation.

Identifying the Root Causes of Brand Damage

To effectively rebuild brand reputation, it is important to identify the root causes of the brand damage. This involves conducting a thorough analysis of the crisis and understanding the factors that contributed to the negative perception of the brand.

One possible root cause could be a specific incident or event that directly impacted the brand's reputation. This could include a product recall, a publicized customer complaint, or a scandal involving the brand or its employees. Identifying these incidents and understanding their impact is crucial for developing strategies to address them.

In addition to specific incidents, it is also important to consider any underlying issues or weaknesses within the brand's operations or culture that may have contributed to the crisis. This could include issues such as poor customer service, unethical business practices, or a lack of transparency. By addressing these root causes, brands can not only rebuild their reputation but also prevent similar crises from occurring in the future.

Implementing Crisis Communication Strategies

Effective crisis communication is essential for rebuilding brand reputation. It is important to develop a comprehensive communication strategy that addresses the concerns and expectations of stakeholders, including customers, employees, and the general public.

One key aspect of crisis communication is transparency. Brands should be open and honest about the crisis, acknowledging any mistakes or shortcomings. This can help rebuild trust and demonstrate a commitment to addressing the issues at hand.

Another important element of crisis communication is timeliness. Brands should communicate regularly and promptly, providing updates on the actions being taken to address the crisis. This can help manage expectations and ensure stakeholders are informed.

Furthermore, it is important to tailor the communication strategy to different stakeholders. For example, customers may require different information and reassurances compared to employees or investors. Understanding the needs of each stakeholder group and crafting targeted messages can enhance the effectiveness of the communication strategy.

Leveraging Social Media for Reputation Recovery

Social media can be a powerful tool for rebuilding brand reputation. It provides brands with a platform to directly engage with their audience, address concerns, and showcase their efforts to rectify the crisis.

One strategy for leveraging social media is to proactively communicate with customers. Brands can use social media channels to provide regular updates, respond to customer inquiries, and address any misconceptions or negative comments. By actively engaging with customers, brands can demonstrate their commitment to rebuilding trust and transparency.

Additionally, brands can leverage social media to showcase their efforts to rectify the crisis. This could include sharing stories of how the brand has taken corrective actions, highlighting employee testimonials, or showcasing community involvement. By sharing these positive aspects, brands can rebuild their reputation and regain customer trust.

It is important to monitor social media channels closely and respond promptly to any negative or misleading information. By addressing concerns and correcting misinformation in a timely manner, brands can prevent further damage to their reputation.

Measuring Success: Monitoring and Evaluating Brand Reputation

Measuring the success of reputation recovery efforts is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of strategies and make necessary adjustments. Monitoring and evaluating brand reputation allows brands to track progress, identify areas of improvement, and make data-driven decisions.

One way to measure success is through customer feedback and sentiment analysis. Brands can collect feedback from customers through surveys, online reviews, and social media mentions. Analyzing this feedback can provide insights into how customers perceive the brand and whether there has been a positive shift in sentiment.

In addition to customer feedback, brands can also monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to reputation, such as customer retention rates, brand mentions in the media, and social media engagement. By tracking these metrics over time, brands can assess the impact of their reputation recovery efforts.

It is important to regularly evaluate and adjust strategies based on the data and insights gathered. This iterative approach allows brands to continuously improve their reputation management efforts and effectively rebuild trust.

Apppl Combine unleashes in managing brand crises through strategic reputation management. We offer expertise in crisis communication, swiftly addressing issues to mitigate negative impacts on the brand's image. We as an online reputation management agency develop comprehensive crisis plans, including monitoring online sentiment, crafting timely responses, and engaging with stakeholders to maintain transparency and trust. Utilizing various channels such as social media, press releases, and direct communication to control the narrative and restore confidence in the brand. Additionally, we provide post-crisis analysis to identify weaknesses and refine strategies for future crisis management, ensuring resilience and safeguarding the brand's reputation.Explore effective strategies for rebuilding brand reputation and restoring trust after facing a crisis. Understand the impact of brand reputation, identify root causes, and implement crisis communication strategies

This post was originally published on: Apppl Combine

[forevrus-in-love]

6 Tips for Rebuilding Trust With Your Partner

Trust forms the very foundation of a healthy and fulfilling relationship. When trust is broken, whether through betrayal, dishonesty, or other reasons, it can leave deep wounds that require time and effort to heal. In this article, we will explore practical and user-friendly tips to help you navigate the journey of rebuilding trust in your relationship, fostering healing, and promoting growth.

Understanding the Impact of Broken Trust

Recognizing the signs of broken trust is the first step toward addressing the issue. It might manifest as feelings of insecurity, jealousy, or resentment. Emotional and psychological effects can be profound, affecting both partners' well-being and the overall dynamics of the relationship. However, it's essential to understand that rebuilding trust is possible with commitment and effort.

Communication

Open and honest communication serves as the cornerstone of rebuilding trust in a relationship. It's crucial to create a safe space where both partners can express their feelings, concerns, and expectations freely. Active listening skills play a vital role in understanding each other's perspectives and fostering empathy. Setting boundaries for healthy communication ensures that discussions remain constructive and respectful.

Taking Responsibility and Accountability

Acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility for past behaviors is key to rebuilding trust. This involves sincere apologies and a commitment to making amends. It's essential to demonstrate accountability by showing through actions that you are willing to change and learn from the past.

Rebuilding Emotional Connection

Rebuilding trust also involves reconnecting emotionally with your partner. Cultivating empathy and understanding allows you to see things from their point of view and validate their feelings. Expressing vulnerability and offering emotional support can help bridge the gap and strengthen the bond between you. Engaging in shared activities and spending quality time together fosters intimacy and reinforces the emotional connection.

Patience and Time

Healing takes time, and patience is paramount in the process of rebuilding trust in a relationship. It's essential to understand that trust cannot be rebuilt overnight and requires consistent effort and commitment from both partners. Allow yourselves the space to heal and grow together, and be patient with each other's progress.

Seeking Professional Help if Needed

Sometimes, rebuilding trust may require external support. Couples therapy or counseling can provide a structured environment for addressing underlying issues and improving communication. Individual therapy can also be beneficial for personal growth and self-reflection. Additionally, utilizing support groups and resources can offer valuable insights and encouragement along the way.

Maintaining Trust

Once trust has been rebuilt, it's essential to take proactive steps to maintain it. Transparency and honesty should remain priorities in your relationship. Regular check-ins and open communication can help address any concerns or issues before they escalate. Continual growth and relationship maintenance ensure that trust remains strong and resilient over time.

Conclusion

Rebuilding trust in a relationship is a challenging but rewarding journey that requires commitment, patience, and effort from both partners. By prioritizing open communication, taking responsibility for past actions, and nurturing emotional connection, you can foster healing and growth in your relationship. Remember that seeking professional help is always an option if needed, and maintaining trust requires ongoing effort and dedication. With time and perseverance, you can overcome trust issues and build a stronger, more resilient relationship together.

[providencereiki]

Conflict Resolution: Transform Your Conflict Cycle

Most couples struggle with conflict resolution. They may call it communication, anger issues, conflict avoidance, contempt, manipulation, narcissism, trauma response, triggers, etc., but we are often talking about conflict resolution. “What is conflict? Conflict is a normal part of any healthy relationship. After all, two people can’t be expected to agree on everything, all the time. The key is…

[online1drer]

6 Steps to Rebuild Broken Trust

Rebuilding trust can be challenging, but it is possible. To embark on this journey, you can follow these six essential steps to decide whether to trust the person again or move on to a new chapter of your life.

Introduction Trust is the foundation for any healthy relationship, whether personal or professional. However, building trust can be challenging and requires consistent effort. It involves being transparent, honest, and reliable in your actions and words. It takes time to establish trust, but it can be easily broken with just one mistake or misstep. Rebuilding trust, on the other hand, can be…

[thatonebirdwrites]

Thoughts on Forgiveness

A lot of people believe that forgiveness is necessary for healing, and that forgiving others is crucial. That forgiveness is for other people.

Those are all false.

Forgiveness cannot be realized or become authentic if the person who caused the harm does not engage in repair.

If the other person refuses to engage in repair, then the forgiveness is like a bandaid on an infected and bloody wound.

The person who did the harm? Without doing repair, they are likely to do the harm again. So it ends up a cycle, where the person causing harm demands forgiveness but yet continues the harmful behavior.

The person offering forgiveness often ends up trapped in an abusive situation. I have been there, where I held out forgiveness in a wild hope that things will improve, that healing could happen. Except, the other person refused to engage in repair, and that hope turned to despair and bitterness.

In such a situation, forgiveness can't be authentic, and instead becomes a temporary shield to try to deflect the worst of the harm. For me, I used it as a shield to de-escalate the harm before it reached really scary levels, but my words weren't authentic at that point. It was only said to help me survive a bad situation.

Forgiveness cannot be healing if the harm continues to happen. The wounds from the harm hasn't been given space or care to heal.

By engaging in repair, trust is slowly rebuilt, healing is given space to happen, and that opens up the possibility of forgiveness.

Repair is accountability. By holding oneself accountable and doing actions to repair the harm, one shows that trust is possible again, that healing of the relationship/friendship is possible. It builds that bridge, and the survivor will see that possibility and decide whether it is healthy for them to cross it or not. A choice that the one who harmed must accept and respect.

Yes, forgiveness is for the survivor mostly, but again, forgiveness is a bridge built upon the acts of repair. The bridge cannot exist without the repair done by the one who harmed, and it is the survivor's choice to cross the bridge of forgiveness or to not cross it. No one else can make that decision for the survivor.

Forgiveness is a request for a better future and present. It's what you build after the foundation is rebuilt through the act of repair. Forgiveness is a hope that things are and will continue to improve, and healing between those involved are given space to happen.

For that healing of relationships/friendships/etc to actually happen? For that hope to be fulfilled?

Repair must be done.

Forgiveness is more than words. It's a process.

A process that starts with the other holding themselves accountable and engaging in repair, where those involved build up a foundation of hope and trust. In this process, something new is built in the ruins of the old. The final part of the process is the choice of the survivor, and for the repair to be authentic, respect for that decision must be given.

But for that to happen, those involved need to commit to that repair, to that hope, to that building up, and most importantly, follow through.

Forgiveness is not necessary for healing, and it is okay for a survivor to choose to not cross that bridge, to not forgive the harm done.

It is simply a process for rebuilding, which is a journey we can take or we can choose not to take, and each of those possible decisions are valid.

My Story as an Example

I'm a survivor of conversion therapy. I had a friend who pushed for me to do it, because that was what she'd been taught. She'd been saturated by anti-LGBT messages, but after I escaped and in the years where I chose to heal, I talked with her off and on.

She asked for forgiveness once, and I asked her, "Can I trust that you won't do this to me again? Or to anyone else?"

She looked at me and considered my question with an intensity I'd never seen from her before, and she said, "Yes. I will work toward that, and I hope I can earn it back."

She followed through and proved that her words were true. That is when I realized I could forgive her, because she engaged in repair. Because she showed that she meant it.

In contrast, my parents, who drove me to conversion therapy, still to this day refuse to acknowledge the harm. They often gaslight me about it. Sometimes mocking me if I bring it up.

When I asked that same question, they gaslit me instead and engaged in DARVO tactics (Deny, Accuse, Reversed Victim and Offender).

I realized they had no intention to ever acknowledge the harm, to ever engage in repair. They refused to admit they hurt me.

Without that intent to repair and the follow through, I realized I couldn't forgive them, because trying to forgive them only exposed me to more harm and abuse.

So I walked away. It took me almost eight years to finally walk away, to cut them out of my life for my safety and health. Because I misunderstood what forgiveness was at the time. I thought if I told them I had forgiven them, that it could somehow repair things.

But it can't. Saying "I forgive you" to someone who hurt you will not repair things. Instead, it only brought me more pain, because that hope of things improving, of healing happening, of being able to repair that broken relationship? That was destroyed again and again with their refusal to engage in repair. So my words became meaningless, they served only to soothe my parents' egos rather than aid in my own healing.

It is why I had to stop. Why I had to walk away, because staying in such a relation was hurting me. Forgiveness couldn't be realized because no repair happened. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life to cut off my parents, but I've been better off for it. My health improved not having that toxicity in my life.

It's on the other person to step up and say, "I acknowledge that I hurt you. I want to repair that. To earn back your trust. I have a few ideas on how to do this, but are you open to repairing this? And what would be best for you?"

That acknowledgement and offer of repair starts the process of laying out a foundation for the bridge. Then the necessary follow through of actually doing the repair solidifies the bridge, so that forgiveness may walk across it and truly be realized.

Forgiveness is never about forgetting. It's never about leaving it in the past. To forgive and forget isn't true forgiveness, instead, it's simply denial. The harm still happened. The hurt still lies coiled within the survivor. Trust is still broken.

Forgiveness cannot be realized or become authentic if the person who caused the harm does not engage in repair.

[emmaliee]

The Puzzle of Trust

The coffee table was covered in puzzle pieces, scattered like fallen leaves. Beth sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping a corner piece in her hand. She always started with the edges—it was the easiest part. The straight lines gave structure, a foundation to build on. The border didn’t need much thought; it was familiar territory, like the shared memories, conversations, and goals that had once connected her with Adam.

“Here’s the edge,” she whispered, fitting a piece snugly into place. “The easy stuff.”

They had been together for five years, and the edges of their relationship had always made sense. They both wanted stability. They both enjoyed hiking on weekends. They both loved Italian food and had dreams of traveling to Europe one day. Those edges had fit so easily at first.

But then came the middle. Beth stared at the pile of jagged shapes before her—pieces in shades of green and blue, blending too closely to tell them apart. It reminded her of where she and Adam stood now: lost in a sea of confusion, trying to rebuild something they had broken.

She picked up the puzzle box and stared at the image on it: a serene forest, a waterfall cascading into a quiet pool. She knew that without this picture, she’d never make it through the mess of green foliage and blue water. Each piece had to align with the image on the box, or it simply wouldn’t fit.

Rebuilding trust, Beth thought, was the same. You needed to know the bigger picture—what the relationship was supposed to look like in the end. Without that, you were just grabbing pieces, hoping they might fit by accident.

She thought about Adam’s apology. He’d said all the right things. He promised to change, to do better, to rebuild what they’d lost. But Beth knew that wasn’t enough. If his words and actions didn’t align with their shared vision, they’d be forcing pieces together that didn’t belong. And she didn’t want to end up with a puzzle that didn’t match the picture they’d both thought they were building.

Beth sighed, picking up two similar-looking pieces. They seemed like they should fit, but they didn’t. She tried to force them, twisting and pressing, but the edges refused to align. Frustrated, she tossed them aside.

This, she realized, was the hardest part—deciding whether the puzzle was worth finishing or if some pieces were just too broken or missing to complete it. She remembered a time when she’d spent hours on a different puzzle, only to discover in the end that three crucial pieces were missing. She had stared at the incomplete image, feeling cheated, as if all her time and effort had been wasted. In the end, she had swept the whole thing back into the box and thrown it away.

She glanced at the photo on the box again. What if the picture they were trying to rebuild wasn’t what she wanted anymore? What if she opened the box thinking it was a waterfall, only to find it was a race car all along?

Beth swallowed hard. That thought hit her the hardest. Some relationships were like that—a beautiful picture on the outside, but when you dug deeper, you found something else entirely. Maybe it was still a nice picture, but it wasn’t what you’d wanted or signed up for. And after all the time and energy you put in, walking away felt unbearable.

But sometimes, she reminded herself, walking away was the only way to find the right puzzle—the one where the picture at the end matched what you truly wanted.

Beth picked up another piece. This one had a small streak of blue on it. She placed it beside the waterfall on the border. It clicked into place with a soft, satisfying snap.

If she was going to rebuild trust with Adam, it had to be like this—one piece at a time, aligned with the bigger picture they both wanted. She wasn’t interested in forcing pieces that didn’t fit. And if, at the end, the puzzle wasn’t what she thought it would be, she would have to find the courage to walk away.

For now, though, she would keep building, carefully comparing each piece to the picture on the box. Because the only thing more important than finishing the puzzle was making sure it was the one she truly wanted.

[paularoseauthor]

Rebuilding Trust: What to Do When Your Scammed.

Perhaps you have been promised the world and have come up empty-handed...

After searching for a reliable worker, I employed one to refurbish my bathroom. His name was Shane, and he seemed knowledgeable and personable. Shane was recommended, so I was confident I was employing someone I could trust and rely upon. Shane promised the job would take two weeks. He gutted the whole room leaving only the pipes. Everything was gone from floor to ceiling. After three months,…

[jaatanilsolanki]

The Role of Forgiveness in a Relationship: Nurturing Love, Trust, and Growth

Discover the profound impact of forgiveness in relationships. Explore how forgiveness cultivates love, trust, and personal growth, and learn how to foster forgiveness for a thriving and fulfilling relationship.

[einlebenmitdirohnedich]

He's a real one. 🥺❤️♓️♒️