Finding the courage to trust after trauma is a journey that requires patience, resilience, and most of all, a feeling of safety. After experiencing betrayal or deep emotional wounds, trusting again—whether it’s in ourselves, others, or the world—can feel impossible.
But in nature, we find a powerful example of trust in the newborn eaglets of Big Bear. These tiny, fragile creatures enter the world completely dependent, instinctively believing in the care of their parents and the safety of their high-perched nest. Their journey from vulnerability to flight mirrors our own path to healing. Just as these baby eagles must trust the process before they can soar, we too must find the courage to trust again, even after trauma has shaken our foundation.
The world watched eagerly as the Big Bear baby eagles were born to fan favorites Jackie and Shadow in early March. These eaglets were born into a life of both vulnerability and immense potential. They cannot yet fly, hunt, or protect themselves. Instead, they must rely completely on their parents for survival.
Their trust is instinctual. They do not question whether they will be fed or kept warm. They trust the nest, the wings that shield them, and the process that will one day lead them to soar.
For those of us healing from trauma, especially betrayal, this kind of trust can feel impossible. Trauma teaches us that the world is unsafe, that people can hurt us, and that even those we love most can be untrustworthy. The idea of trusting again—whether it’s trusting another person, trusting ourselves, or trusting life itself—can feel terrifying.
Why is that?
The Fragility of Trust: Why Trauma Shatters It and How To Get the Courage to Trust Again
Trust is one of the first things to break when we experience trauma, particularly trauma rooted in betrayal. Whether it’s the betrayal of a partner, a friend, or even life itself through unexpected hardship, our nervous system learns to be on guard.
- We question everyone’s motives.
- We struggle to trust our own instincts.
- We fear being vulnerable again.
Just like an eaglet freshly hatched from its shell, we feel small and defenseless, unsure of whether the world will take care of us.
But while our pain tells us we must never trust again, nature shows us something different.
The Nest as a Safe Haven: Creating a Foundation for Healing
Before an eaglet takes its first flight, it must first have a safe place to grow. Eagle parents build strong nests high above predators, ensuring their young are protected as they develop.
For survivors of trauma, our healing must start with the same foundation—a place of emotional safety.
How to Build Your Own “Nest” of Safety To Help Gain the Courage to Trust:
- Surround yourself with people who support your healing, not those who dismiss it.
- Set boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being.
- Prioritize self-care as a way to rebuild trust in yourself.
Just as the eaglet cannot fly before it gains strength, we must give ourselves the space to heal before pushing ourselves into situations that require trust.
Learning to Trust Again: Small Steps Toward Growth
The eaglet does not one day simply decide to fly. First, it learns to stand. Then, it flaps its wings. It builds strength, practicing in the safety of the nest before it ever dares to leave.
Healing from trauma follows the same path.
Small Trust-Building Steps for Survivors:
- Trusting Yourself: Start by keeping small promises to yourself, like sticking to a self-care routine or honoring your own boundaries.
- Trusting Safe People: Open up in small ways to those who have proven themselves trustworthy over time.
- Trusting the Process: Healing is not linear. Accept that setbacks do not mean failure—they are part of growth.
Like an eaglet learning to flap its wings, these small steps may seem insignificant, but they are essential in building the strength to trust again.
Here is a great article from Tiny Buddha about learning to trust others by first trusting yourself.
Taking the Leap: Trusting Yourself to Fly Again
There comes a moment when the eaglet must leave the nest. The first flight is often shaky, uncertain, and anything but graceful. Some fall. Some struggle. But they all must trust that their wings will catch them.
For trauma survivors, this leap of faith might look different. It could be:
- Opening your heart to love again.
- Taking a chance on a new job or life change.
- Trusting yourself to make a decision without fear of failure.
It is terrifying to let go. But like the eagle, we were not meant to stay in the nest forever. We are meant to fly.
Trusting the Journey: Patience, Resilience, and Growth
Not every eaglet flies perfectly on the first try. Some struggle more than others. But they keep trying, because that’s what they were made to do.
Healing and rebuilding trust works the same way. Some days, you will feel like you are soaring. On other days, you may feel like you’ve fallen flat.
That doesn’t mean you are failing. It means you are learning.
Each time you take a step forward, you prove to yourself that trust is possible again. Each time you let yourself believe in something good, you take flight.
Embracing the Courage to Trust
The baby eagle does not know for certain that it will fly. It only knows that it was made to try.
As survivors, we may never feel 100% ready to trust again, whether that means trusting others, trusting ourselves, or trusting the future. But finding the courage to trust is not about feeling ready—it is about taking the step anyway.
So, ask yourself: What is one small way you can trust today?
- Can you trust yourself to take care of your needs?
- Can you trust someone you love with a small piece of your heart?
- Can you trust that healing is happening, even when it feels slow?
Like the eagle, you were made for more than just surviving. You were made to soar.
Join us on our 3 O’Clock Wednesday journey together!
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