Trust is not a fixed trait in a relationship—it’s a living system that can be damaged, repaired, and even strengthened over time. When trust is broken, the rupture can feel overwhelmingly painful, and certainly destabilizing in a relationship, but it doesn’t have to be permanent.

Forgiveness is hard because it often feels like giving up a part of ourselves—our pain, our need for justice, or even our pride. When we’ve been hurt, it’s natural to want acknowledgment or even retribution, and letting go can feel like we’re saying the harm didn’t matter, which is not at all true.