Emotion: Trust

When you want to write the emotion trust, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing instead of telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Trust is the feeling of confidence and reliance on someone or something. It involves a belief that the person or thing in question will act in a reliable and predictable manner, and that they have your best interests in mind. Trust is built over time through consistent actions that demonstrate dependability and honesty. In terms of character development, trust can be a powerful emotion to explore, as it can create deep bonds between characters and help to drive the plot forward.

Different Types of Trust

Here are some different types of trust:

• Blind Trust
• Cautious Trust
• Conditional Trust
• Deep Trust
• Distrust
• Blind Faith
• Mutual Trust
• Self-Trust
• Betrayed Trust

Situations Associated with Trust

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of trust:

• A character may experience trust when they have a positive past experience with another character.
• Trust can also be developed over time as two characters interact and get to know each other better.
• A character may trust someone who has helped them or been there for them in the past.
• Trust may also be present in a character who has a strong sense of loyalty and believes in the goodness of others.
• A character may experience trust when they see someone else exhibiting trustworthy behavior or actions.

Physical Reactions to Trust

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing trust might have:

• Open body language, such as relaxed posture, uncrossed arms and legs, and facing the person directly
• Making eye contact and maintaining it for an appropriate length of time
• Smiling and nodding to show agreement and support
• Leaning in slightly towards the person, indicating interest and engagement
• Speaking in a calm and reassuring tone of voice
• Being punctual and reliable, following through on promises and commitments
• Being transparent and honest, sharing information openly and honestly
• Offering help and support when needed, showing empathy and understanding
• Being respectful of the other person's feelings, beliefs, and opinions
• Being willing to take risks and be vulnerable, trusting the other person to reciprocate.

These are just a few examples of how the emotion of trust can be expressed through physical signs and behaviors. Remember that everyone expresses emotions differently, so these signs and behaviors may not apply to every person in every situation.

Thoughts Associated with Trust

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing trust might have:

• I believe in them, they won't let me down.
• I feel safe in their presence.
• I can rely on them to keep their word.
• I trust that they have my best interests at heart.
• I have faith in their abilities and judgment.
• I am comfortable being vulnerable around them.
• I can confide in them without fear of judgment.
• I know they will support me no matter what.
• I feel a strong connection with them.

Atmosphere of Trust

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of trust in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Show characters engaging in trustworthy behavior, such as keeping promises or being honest, to reinforce the theme of trust in the scene.

Verbs Associated with Trust

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of trust:

• Believe
• Rely
• Confide
• Depend
• Count on
• Entrust
• Have faith
• Trust in
• Rest assured

Emotions Before Trust

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences trust:

• Suspicion
• Doubt
• Mistrust
• Skepticism
• Apprehension
• Fear
• Uncertainty
• Cynicism
• Disbelief

Emotions After Trust

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences trust:

• Betrayal
• Doubt
• Disappointment
• Shock
• Anger
• Regret
• Sadness
• Fear
• Insecurity

Telling Trust Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion trust in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She trusted her instincts and followed her heart.
• He trusted that she would keep his secret safe.
• They knew they could trust each other with their deepest fears and desires.
• Despite the risks, she trusted that everything would work out in the end.
• He had always trusted his mentor's advice, even when it was hard to hear.
• She trusted that her friend would be there for her, no matter what.
• He trusted that his team would pull together and achieve their goal.
• They had built up trust over years of working together, and it was unbreakable.
• She trusted that her husband would always be faithful to her.

Practical Examples of Showing Trust

Here are some examples of showing trust in a sentence:

• She handed him the keys to her apartment without a second thought.
• He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world lift off his shoulders as he leaned back into her embrace.
• She watched him disappear into the crowd, knowing he would return just as he promised.
• He left the door unlocked for her, knowing she would come in and make herself at home.

Exercises for Showing Trust

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing trust:

• Write a scene where two characters who have just met trust each other instantly. Show their body language, dialogue, and actions that convey their mutual trust.
• Create a character who has trust issues due to past experiences. Write a scene where this character has to trust someone despite their reservations. Show how the character struggles with trust and how they eventually come to trust the other person.
• Write a scene where a character's trust is broken. Show the character's emotional response and how they cope with the betrayal.
• Write a scene where a character puts their trust in the wrong person. Show how they realize their mistake and how they deal with the consequences.
• Create a character who is overly trusting and naive. Write a scene where this character learns a harsh lesson about trust and how to be more discerning in the future.
• Write a scene where a character has to earn someone else's trust. Show how the character proves themselves trustworthy through their actions and words.
• Create a character who is struggling to trust themselves. Write a scene where this character learns to believe in themselves and their abilities.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full set of emotions.