How are you at trusting people? Do you still believe there are people out there, even just one, who would care about you for you?

I am sincere, compassionate, I want to trust but I am also prudent.

Many people lie or omit to say some things sometimes... for their own reasons. What differentiates one from the other is how they treat you. By their actions, you will sense the unsaid truths.

I have learned lessons from toxic people and in time of hardship, but I have also developed unhealthy attachments to the wrong people that made ME the toxic person. I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working and I was shocked to see that the problem was in me. I cut those bridges and set these people free from me because I felt like a monster. They were better without me. I regret not realizing this earlier. I've been a long way since then but I must say.. I have been from both sides, and I have been sincere and caring all this time - I was just incredibly depressed and lost in my heart and mind and that made me toxic to others. I hated myself and that is why nothing worked. Over the years I learned to rely more on myself, be nicer to myself and to be responsible for my wellbeing.

So.. some people will hurt you intentionally, some, unintentionally, and some, who have attained better balance, will help you build an amazing trust bond for life. If you have not met anyone great yet, do not despair - chances are, they're also looking for you - you'll meet one day, hopefully soon 😊

There are plenty of good people out there. You just have to find them and appreciate them.

I don’t trust ‘people’ as a sweeping assessment.

I know a few good individuals though and I work in a field that is all about helping people, which regularly reminds me theres other good humans out there.

Good boundaries for myself have definitely lessened the frequency and severity of negative encounters. I’ve got this buddy who is a sweetheart, but she also refuses to have consistent boundaries, so she gets hurt a lot then wonders why and has developed an unfortunate, self-fulfilling prophecy, victim mentality. It’s a pity really. 😞

I have two very good friends.

One I had met online in a roleplay chatroom, gaming, not sexual. We talked often online and our characters interacted a lot. We became close. She wanted a relationship and though I felt love for this person I refused it. I was 19 and after we were friends found out she was only 16. She respected my choice and we remained friends. By the time she was of age she was in another relationship so we never really revisited that potential. But we are confidantes for each other. We don't speak often these days but we are as close as ever. If one of us ever needs something the other can help with, there is no doubt we'll be there for each other. No scorekeeping, no holding it over the other person.

The other friend is of my same age. There is a similar story but reflected. I have a massive crush on them and always have had it. But when I tried asking them out it was a no. I respected that and we moved on. Close as ever. I was there when they had a bad breakup and needed a place to stay. Much further down the road I was in a real pinch with transportation issues and they were right there as soon as they could be to help out. It's another case where we'd do anything for each other. We often go months without speaking, but we know the other is there if needed. It's already been tested and proven.

I don't know if either of those count as wanting something from the other. But it certainly isn't transactional. I love and trust these two people wholeheartedly. And though i cannot be sure, i do feel they hold me in the same regard.

I don't like it when I feel there's a strong will within them, trying to gain things from me, but also I've come in terms with it and I'm okay with it. I mean, I'm okay with the exchanges and I don't feel it as something negative. Rather as something consecutive, for example, i eat food and that's transformed into energy.
Similarly, when they expect to take, if I can, i give them, then watch what they do with it.
It's nothing to feel guilty about, we also desire things from others...
Of course we need to have judgement and when we detect abuse or misuse, we speak and set our limits 🤗

I think people are incompetent and misdirected in life. In order to compensate for that they seek to manipulate.

At my best I don't mind people. When people say they'll do something I try to detach from what they say so that I won't be affected when they don't do as they say. At my worst I am terrified of the craziness, irrationality and superficiality in the world.

I don't expect and I don't care.

It takes a while for me to consider someone trustworthy now

I don't have trust issues but I have reasonable caution. However, I don't have offline friends so might not have a solid opinion on that.

As I am trustworthy, then I know there must be more than myself in the world who are trustworthy, I just haven’t met many during my lifetime. Given this, I believe it’s highly unlikely that I will meet one who will care for me because I’m me.

the secret of extended personal contact...

you must always make sure that the person does not get into circumstances in which he or she might be tempted to betray you or use your relationship to your detriment.

married women are well aware of this.

I'm always cautious about all the things you mentioned. I also don't rule out a rare, mutual connection.

I don't trust.
People are so dishonest they battle the truth and we're heading to total system failure.

I’m holding out hope, but life is very quiet now and that’s okay too

I trust my family, friends and the people I work with when doing volunteer activities.

Seems ever more unlikely of late