Trust is one of those invisible threads that quietly holds relationships together.
Sometimes you notice it most when people consistently turn to you—not because you have all the answers, but because they believe your perspective matters.
If you find yourself fielding certain types of questions again and again, it’s not a coincidence. It’s a sign people see you as a steady voice, someone whose judgment feels reliable.
And while that can feel like a lot of responsibility, it’s also a compliment worth recognizing.
Let’s walk through eight of those question types. See if any sound familiar.
1) “What would you do if you were me?”
This one usually pops up in moments of uncertainty. Friends might ask when they’re weighing a new job, deciding where to move, or trying to choose between schools for their kids.
I’ve been asked this more times than I can count—sometimes while stirring pancake batter, mid-garden clean-up.
What’s really happening here is less about the actual answer and more about the comfort in knowing you’d approach the decision thoughtfully.
It means people trust you to see both the heart and the practical side of things. And often, what they want most is reassurance that they’re not missing something obvious.
2) “Do you think I’m overreacting?”
When someone comes to you with this, it shows they feel safe enough to question their own perspective without being judged. They’re saying, “I value your groundedness—help me see clearly.”
I’ve had close mom friends ask this after toddler tantrums in grocery aisles or when they’ve felt invisible at work.
Usually, I’ll respond by gently asking, “How would you feel if the roles were reversed?” That often gives them space to breathe.
As psychologist Susan David has noted in her work on emotional agility, naming our feelings accurately helps us navigate them with more clarity.
Being the person others come to for that kind of reflection? That’s trust in action.
3) “Can I get your honest opinion?”
This one’s huge. People rarely invite full honesty unless they already believe you’ll give it kindly.
Whether it’s a new haircut, a business idea, or parenting advice, they’re choosing you because you’ve built a reputation for balancing truth with compassion.
I once had a neighbor ask me if she should keep trying cloth diapers after a month of frustration. My answer? “If it’s draining more joy than it’s giving, it’s okay to let it go.”
She sighed in relief and admitted she needed that permission.
Being asked for your opinion doesn’t mean being harsh—it means people believe you’ll hold up a mirror without shattering it.
4) “How do you manage to…?”
Maybe it’s “How do you manage to cook from scratch with kids around?” or “How do you keep your calm when they both melt down at once?”
Questions like these signal that others see your habits, not as perfect, but as intentional. They notice you’ve carved rhythms that work for your family, even in the messy moments.
For me, co-sleeping and babywearing weren’t about doing things “the right way”—they were about sanity and connection.
When people ask about it, it’s not admiration of perfection, it’s curiosity about real solutions.
As Brené Brown once said, “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” If your routines reflect that value, others naturally lean in.
5) “What’s your take on this?”
This one shows up a lot when big decisions are floating around—politics, health, school choices. It’s not always about agreement, but about clarity.
People want to know where you land because they see your perspective as thoughtful, maybe even steadying.
I remember during the pandemic, neighbors would ask, “What’s your take on masks for kids?” or “How are you handling birthday parties this year?”
These weren’t easy conversations. But they were rooted in mutual respect and a belief that my viewpoint was weighed and intentional.
It doesn’t mean you have to have the final word. It just means your lens helps them zoom out.
6) “Could you help me figure this out?”
When someone comes to you with this, they’re not looking for quick fixes—they’re seeking your way of breaking things down.
Sometimes this is as simple as a friend asking me to help rearrange her living room so it feels more child-friendly.
Other times it’s trickier, like helping a cousin sort through childcare options. Either way, these requests mean people notice your problem-solving nature.
Author Stephen Covey once said in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that “trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication.”
When people ask you to help figure things out, they’re leaning on that glue.
7) “Would you mind giving this a look?”
This often comes up when someone wants you to review something before they share it—an email draft, a kid’s school application, even a text they’re nervous to send.
I’ve had friends slide their phones across the table with, “Does this sound okay?” It’s a small but meaningful ask. They’re letting you peek into their vulnerability before the world sees it.
That’s not just trust in your judgment—it’s trust in your discretion. They know you won’t laugh, dismiss, or gossip about what they’ve shown you.
8) “Do you have any advice?”
This is the classic one, and it shows up in countless ways—parenting advice, relationship questions, even what brand of blender to buy.
When people consistently ask you for advice, it means they’ve noticed you live in a way that blends thoughtfulness and practicality.
You’re not living by extremes, but you’re also not floating without intention.
For me, advice-giving has never been about “do it my way.” It’s about sharing what’s worked for our family, while acknowledging it might look different for someone else.
That balance—offering guidance without pressure—is often what earns trust in the first place.
The deeper meaning behind these questions
When you step back, these eight question types aren’t random. They reveal a pattern: people see you as approachable, reflective, and safe.
You may not always feel like the “wise one.” In fact, sometimes I feel like I’m winging it—especially when Ellie and Milo turn a calm morning into a circus by 7 a.m.
But maybe that’s the point. People don’t trust your judgment because you’re perfect. They trust it because you’re real, and you keep showing up with sincerity.
So the next time someone leans in with one of these questions, pause for a moment. Recognize what’s being said beneath the words: I trust you. I value how you see the world.
That’s a gift worth noticing.
Final reflections
Being a trusted voice doesn’t mean you carry everyone else’s decisions. It simply means your life has become a steady touchstone for others. That’s a quiet but powerful compliment.
And if you’re like me, maybe you don’t always feel “qualified” to hold that role. But trust isn’t about credentials—it’s about presence.
It’s about showing up in everyday life in ways that others can lean on.
So take heart. If people keep asking you these questions, it’s not an accident. It’s a reflection of the trust you’ve earned—one honest conversation, one grounded choice, one listening ear at a time.
