The Importance of Vulnerability and Reciprocal Connection in Building Trust

We meet all kinds of people in life.

Some people come rushing towards you, but then they leave just as quickly.

Other people are far away, but you grow closer to them over time.

Every relationship has its own depth, and there are clues to how deep it goes.

The secret to a long-lasting relationship? Sharing just right, asking for help just enough, and putting yourself in their shoes.

Eliana was struggling. She was alone in a new city, her love life was a mess, and her career wasn’t going well. She was constantly facing challenges.

Then she met a little girl, and Eliana’s life began to change.

At first, the little girl thought Eliana was cold and hard to get along with.

But over time, she realized Eliana was just someone who was tough on the outside, but kind on the inside.

One night, Eliana and the little girl were walking home when they saw Eliana’s boyfriend, Leo, with another woman.

Eliana ran over to find out what was going on, and the little girl watched quietly.

Leo didn’t seem sorry at all, and they started arguing. The little girl was furious and threw her toy at him.

Later, they were walking home again when a downpour started. They ran together, getting soaked.

Eliana crouched down and started crying. The little girl stayed by her side. When Eliana was done crying, they went back to laughing and playing like usual.

From then on, they worked together during the day and talked about their problems at night. They shared their worries with each other, and their relationship grew stronger.

There’s a law in psychology called the “sharing law.” It says that real relationships need “sharing.” Sharing is really about accepting someone. When you listen, you build a connection and understanding, which makes the relationship stronger.

But sharing isn’t just about one person complaining. It’s about wanting the other person to understand and respond, to feel seen.

When you share your sadness, I understand your pain, and I offer comfort and advice. When you share your good news, I know your joy, and I give you praise and blessings.

If you keep everything inside and don’t share, you’ll lose the desire to communicate, and your relationship will become bland.

Only when both of you can open up, share your hearts, and connect on the same level will your relationship grow stronger over time.

Asking for Help Just Enough

Everyone comes into this world seeking a sense of purpose and belonging.

Think about it.

We often hesitate to ask for help, afraid of being rejected.

But when you make a reasonable request, people don’t get annoyed. Instead, they feel valued because you needed them.

Ava used to be someone who never wanted to bother anyone.

As a child, she set a rule for herself: Don’t cause any trouble for others.

So she never asked for help, and she thought it was a good thing.

When she went to college, her thinking changed completely.

She took a psychology class, and the teacher said, “Asking for help is a good way to strengthen friendships.”

At first, Ava was confused. Then she realized that the reason she didn’t ask for help was because she didn’t want others to ask her for help.

Now, she accepts her friends’ kindness and is willing to ask for help.

The reason? She feels like she can handle her friends’ requests for help.

When she stood on stage and shared her story, she said confidently:

“Growing up means taking on responsibility for other people’s lives. Your actions and connections don’t just affect you, they affect everyone around you.”

No one is an island. We all need to interact with the people around us.

Often, we carry everything alone, afraid of bothering others, scared of being a burden, and worried that they’ll ask for help in return.

But the truth is, relationships grow closer through helping each other and reciprocating kindness.

Asking for help, even for small things, can strengthen your bond.

Asking for help just enough, and being willing to help others in return, will make your relationships stronger and longer-lasting.

Putting Yourself in Their Shoes

I saw a trending topic online: “What kind of people do you like to be around?”

One of the top responses was, “People who can put themselves in others’ shoes and show gratitude.”

Seeing things from someone else’s perspective is the only way to truly understand them.

No matter what, we should always consider how the other person feels and understand their situation.

After all, adults have their own hidden struggles and difficulties.

When you truly put yourself in their shoes and see things from their perspective, you’ll find that most problems can be easily solved.

I really like this quote: “Friendship needs to be sown with loyalty, watered with passion, nurtured with principles, and cared for with understanding.”

Having a long-lasting friendship requires both of you to make an effort.

Sharing just right, being on the same wavelength, makes things easier and more enjoyable.

Asking for help just enough, making things easy on each other, brings you closer.

Putting yourself in their shoes, being considerate, keeps the relationship strong.

For the rest of your life, I hope you can walk side by side with your friends, weather the storms together, never get tired of each other, and live a happy life.