A Framework for Building Trust

BRAVING Explained

The acronym BRAVING, coined by Brené Brown, is a framework for building trust and fostering healthy relationships.

Each letter represents a different aspect of trust and vulnerability.

Brené Brown has been a powerful mentor throughout my journey to peace. Her work on BRAVING gave me language for something I deeply needed to understand — trust.

Not just trust with others, but trust with myself.

Even more transformative was her teaching on vulnerability.

For years, I believed it was easier to bury my thoughts and emotions. I convinced myself that staying quiet, staying composed, and staying “fine” was strength. I didn’t realize the cost.

In protecting myself, I was slowly detaching — from my own inner world and from the people I loved.

Detaching to protect what?

That question changed everything. 💛

Through practicing vulnerability as a micro-tool within my Peace Practice, I began learning how to stay present instead of shutting down. To speak honestly instead of withdrawing. To feel instead of suppress.

BRAVING and vulnerability continue to strengthen my confidence — not loud confidence, but grounded confidence. The kind that comes from knowing I can show up fully, with boundaries, integrity, and openness.

Here's the breakdown of the BRAVING acronym:

B - Boundaries: Setting clear boundaries and respecting others' boundaries is essential for trust and establishing a sense of safety in relationships.

R - Reliability: Being reliable means doing what you say you will do, consistently. It's about keeping your commitments and being accountable, which builds trust over time.

A - Accountability: Taking responsibility for your actions and apologizing when you make mistakes. Being willing to own up to your shortcomings and make amends is vital for building trust.

V - Vault: The vault refers to maintaining confidentiality and respecting others' privacy. It means keeping sensitive information shared with you in confidence and not using it against them.

I - Integrity: Acting with integrity involves aligning your actions with your values. It means being honest, acting ethically, and demonstrating strong moral principles.

N - Non-judgment: Practicing non-judgment means creating a safe space for vulnerability by refraining from judging others. It involves suspending assumptions and being open-minded and empathetic.

G - Generosity: Being generous refers to giving others the benefit of the doubt, assuming positive intent, and interpreting their words and actions in the most charitable way possible. It involves assuming that people are doing their best.

By following the BRAVING principles, individuals can cultivate trust, foster healthier relationships, and create an environment where vulnerability and authenticity can thrive.

In closing, it has taken years of intentional practice. And I still practice.

These tools — along with others I return to daily — are foundational to the peace I now experience within myself and in my relationships.

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🌿 The Peace Practice

My life coaching practice is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and return to what truly matters.

I offer a calm, supportive space for women who are ready to cultivate clarity, presence, and inner peace through simple, intentional practices — without pressure or perfection.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be ready to begin.

Whether you’re navigating life transitions, personal growth, relationships, financial or retirement changes, or your overall wellness, this is a gentle place to begin your peace practice.

👉 Begin your peace practice with a complimentary online self-assessment.

CLICK HERE TO START

Every intentional step you take is a powerful one.

💛 Strength Through Peace

Warmest peaceful regards,

Adrienne

BC, Canada