I trust people very quickly and as a result always have been betrayed? What do I do not to trust people and still hold the relation simple?

It can be challenging to balance trust with caution, especially if you have a history of being betrayed. Here are some strategies to help you navigate relationships while being more discerning about trust:

1. Set Boundaries and Communicate Clearly

• Establish Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations and boundaries to others. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that both parties are on the same page.
• Open Communication: Encourage open dialogue where feelings and concerns can be shared without fear of judgment. This fosters a safe environment for discussing trust issues5.

2. Evaluate Intentions and Actions

• Assess Consistency: Observe whether a person's actions align with their words. Consistency is a strong indicator of reliability and trustworthiness5.
• Watch for Red Flags: Be cautious of behaviors that consistently raise red flags, such as dishonesty or unreliability.

3. Take Time to Build Trust

• Gradual Trust: Allow trust to develop gradually over time. This means not immediately trusting someone just because you want to; instead, let their actions earn your trust2.
• Reflect on Past Experiences: Consider how past betrayals have affected your trust issues. Understanding these experiences can help you approach new relationships with a clearer perspective4.

4. Practice Emotional Intelligence and Self-Protection

• Self-Awareness: Recognize your emotional triggers and vulnerabilities. This self-awareness can help you protect yourself from potential betrayal1.
• Empathy Without Over-Trust: Practice empathy towards others while maintaining a level of emotional distance until trust is earned.

5. Maintain a Healthy Distance Initially

• Don’t Over-Commit Early: Avoid committing too deeply too quickly. Take time to observe how someone behaves in different situations before fully investing in the relationship2.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Focus on your own well-being and ensure that you are not sacrificing your emotional safety for the sake of a relationship.

6. Learn from Mistakes

• Reflect on Betrayals: Analyze past betrayals to understand what signs you might have missed and how you can improve your judgment in the future4.
• Forgive but Don’t Forget: Forgive past betrayals to heal emotionally, but remember the lessons learned to inform your future interactions5.

By implementing these strategies, you can maintain relationships while being more cautious about trusting others. It's about finding a balance between openness and self-protection.