Trust Is Your Relationship to the Unknown

Trust is your relationship to the unknown. It is the willingness to let go, to stop scanning for danger and to rest in the belief that you will be caught if you fall. When you trust, your mind relaxes and you can focus fully on what is in front of you.

I love this idea, and I share it alongside a stunning visual representation of trust by two performers from Cirque du Soleil. Here is the passage from the film’s narration that stayed with me:

We talk about trust as something you built. As if it is a structure or a thing. But in that building there seems to be something about letting go. What it affords us is a luxury. It allows us to stop thinking. To stop worrying that someone won’t catch us if we fall. To stop constantly scanning for inconsistencies. To stop wondering how other people act when they are not in our presence. It allows us to relax a part of our minds so that we can focus on what is in front of us. Trust is your relationship to the unknown. So who do you trust? And how can you grow it?

From the short film Why Trust Is Worth It

Trust as letting go

We often think of trust as something we build slowly, brick by brick. And it is. Yet at its heart, trust also asks us to release. To stop holding on so tightly. To allow.

Think of two acrobats. One lets go of the bar and flies through the air, and the other is there to catch. That moment of release is pure trust. Without it, the beautiful performance would be impossible.

What trust gives you

The passage calls trust a luxury, and I agree. When you trust:

• You stop overthinking. Your mind no longer runs every possible scenario.
• You stop scanning. You no longer search for signs that something is wrong.
• You relax. Your body softens, your breath deepens.
• You become present. You can give your full attention to the moment and the people in it.

Imagine how much energy that frees up.

The three relationships of trust

Trusting others

This is the trust we usually think of first. Can I count on you? Will you be there? Trusting others takes courage, especially if you’ve been hurt. Grow it step by step, by noticing who shows up consistently.

Trusting yourself

Self-trust is the foundation of everything. It means believing in your own judgment, keeping promises to yourself and listening to your intuition. When you trust yourself, you can handle whatever the unknown brings.

Trusting life and Source

The deepest trust is trust in life itself, in a loving intelligence that supports you. This trust lets you let go and let God. It allows you to face uncertainty with peace.

Why the unknown feels scary

Our minds love certainty. Not knowing what comes next can trigger fear, and fear makes us grip and control. Yet the unknown is also where every new possibility lives. Your next opportunity, your next love, your next breakthrough are all waiting there.

When you change your relationship to the unknown, you change your relationship to life.

How to grow your trust

1. Notice where you hold on. Where in your life are you gripping, controlling or scanning?
2. Breathe and release. Each time you notice tension, breathe out and let go a little.
3. Keep promises to yourself. Small kept promises build self-trust.
4. Look for evidence. Remember times you were caught, supported or guided.
5. Practice daily. Meditation is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen trust.

When trust has been broken

If someone broke your trust, as I explore in Never Be Betrayed Again, it’s natural to protect yourself. Healing takes time. Start with self-trust. As you trust your ability to take care of yourself, you’ll feel safer opening up to others again. Writing about your feelings can help release what you’ve been carrying. My Vent Journal is made for exactly that.

Owning your energy

Trust is closely connected to owning your energy. When you stop scanning for danger, you reclaim the energy that was spent on worry. I share practices for this in How to Own Your Own Energy.

So, who do you trust?

Take a moment with the questions at the end of the passage. Who do you trust? And how can you grow it? Write your answers down. Notice where trust comes easily and where it feels hard. Both are worth knowing.

A practice for today

Close your eyes. Breathe slowly into your heart. Imagine yourself letting go of a bar high in the air, and feel yourself being caught. Say silently, “I trust. I am supported.” Stay with that feeling for a few breaths.

Trust in everyday moments

Trust lives in small moments as much as big ones. It’s in letting a colleague handle a project without checking every detail. It’s in sleeping well before a big day, believing you’ve prepared enough. It’s in letting your partner, your child or your friend make their own choices.

Each time you choose trust in a small moment, you strengthen your capacity for the bigger leaps.

Your trust inventory

Make two short lists: the people who have caught you when you fell, and the moments life surprised you with support. Read them whenever the unknown feels heavy.

Frequently asked questions

What does “trust is your relationship to the unknown” mean?

It means trust is how you relate to what you can’t predict or control, through letting go.

How can I learn to trust myself?

Keep small promises to yourself, listen to your intuition and notice when your judgment proves sound.

How do I trust the unknown?

Practice letting go, remember times you were supported and use meditation to calm your mind and body.

How do I rebuild trust after betrayal?

Start with self-trust, give yourself time to heal and notice who shows up consistently before opening up again.

Want a daily practice to grow trust? Get my 20-minute Trust Meditation.