What's the difference between a twin flame and a soulmate? -

In recent times, the term “twin flame” is coming back into popularity, with many seeming to swap it out for “soulmate.” But it’s actually something else entirely.

Though Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly’s use of the term as a kind of pet name for each other might deter you from investigating deeper into this specific kind of relationship between two people, we’re here to assure you it’s not as weird as they make it seem. Unless you’re into that!

Click through to find out what a twin flame really is, and some signs to know if you’ve met yours.

© Shutterstock

What is a twin flame? -

Twin flames are generally understood as an intense soul connection between two halves, or "mirror souls." It's based on the idea that sometimes one soul gets split into two bodies.

© Shutterstock

What is a twin flame? -

These mirror individuals tend to have similar strengths and weaknesses, and feel intensely connected over something shared, as licensed psychotherapist Barbara Spinelli, a relationship expert and CEO of Babita Spinelli Group and Opening the Doors Psychotherapy, told Healthline.

© Shutterstock

Common misunderstanding -

Vitally, each person is still "whole" on their own, says Spinelli. "There is a misnomer that a twin flame completes you," she explains. "In reality, relationships are meant to encourage you to be more complete in your own right."

© Shutterstock

It's not an easy relationship -

One of the most notable characteristics of a twin flame relationship is that it challenges you, while also healing you—though healing takes work as well. This is because your deepest insecurities and fears are mirrored back to you.

© Shutterstock

What's the difference from a soulmate? -

While some people consider twin flames to be the most intense kind of soulmate, others say they are completely different. Soulmates feel a deep familiarity and closeness, but twin flames take that further by being two halves of the same whole. Soul mates can also bring you closer to your authentic self, but they decide to be together instead of being drawn together.

© Shutterstock

Twin flames can be platonic -

"The emphasis on a twin flame relationship is a spiritual connection where you feel a familiarity and polarity with a person. This can take the form of a friend or even an acquaintance," Spinelli says. There is no predetermination for what shape or gender or relation your twin flame will come in.

© Shutterstock

Does everyone have one? -

The answer across the board seems to be no. It's a rare connection, to be twin flames, so most people won't find one. "Ultimately, not everyone feels that pull toward the other part of their soul because it hasn't had this split," spiritual author Shannon Kaiser told Mind Body Green.

© Shutterstock

There is often a yearning -

According to Spinelli, the first stage of a twin flame relationship happens before you meet them. Some people, not all, feel a kind of yearning for, or awareness of, their other half somewhere out in the world. There is deep longing and inner work that typically happens that allows you to recognize the twin flame when it appears.

© Shutterstock

Signs you've met your twin flame -

First of all, you both instantly recognize something in the other. Spinelli says there will be an intense sense of attraction, recognition, and longing. "Meeting a twin flame often feels like home," she notes. "They feel familiar—an undeniably intense bond as though you have known them before." Still, they might not be what you thought was your "type."

© Shutterstock

You're weirdly similar -

You and your twin flame will find that you have a lot in common, ranging from your values and interests to your moral compass.

© Shutterstock

You have a similar past -

You'll even share past experiences and be surprised by a lot of things that align. "Both of you will find that your past story has a lot of coincidences and similar experiences," Spinelli says. Intuitive energy healer Tasha Nassar emphasized to Allure that often your twin flame will have experienced similar childhood trauma—usually on a broader scale, like abandonment or neglect.

© Shutterstock

You complement each other -

Where there are differences, you'll find that their shadow complements your light, or vice versa. It's another way the mirror effect is strengthened by how your relationship highlights and reflects your characteristics.

© Shutterstock

Your insecurities and doubts are amplified -

Not because they are purposely making you feel insecure, but because your twin flame relationship is meant to support and help you with your weaknesses. The key is that these problems and insecurities are amplified in order for you to better heal and grow through them, not in order for them to emotionally abuse or manipulate you.

© Shutterstock

You feel drawn to them like a magnet -

One of the signs is that, despite how much they challenge you, you still want to be near them all the time, both physically but also energetically when you're apart.

© Shutterstock

Your relationship hits road bumps -

A twin flame relationship is tumultuous because you are constantly being confronted by yourself, or rather the parts of yourself that you probably haven't made peace with. The challenges are meant to be opportunities for growth.

© Shutterstock

Your relationship is intense -

This is the kind of deep and passionate love you hear about, but of course it goes both ways. Everything between you feels emotionally charged, right from the get-go.

© Shutterstock

Your perspective on the world shifts -

The time spent with your twin flame is one of rapid growth and change, and that often involves the way you look at the world on the whole. You might feel suddenly ready to change careers or move.

© Shutterstock

You keep coming back together -

Many twin flames are apparently in on-and-off again relationships because the challenges are tough but the magnetic quality of the other person remains.

© Shutterstock

You feel a divine quality about your bond -

Much of the lore around twin flames and the history of your souls likely comes from this feeling that your connection was predestined in some way, or that you've been brought together by a higher power.

© Shutterstock

You're inspired -

Your twin flame quite aptly lights a fire inside you that awakens you to your untapped potential. It causes you to imagine possibilities you perhaps never dreamed of for yourself.

© Shutterstock

Your communication is nearly psychic -

You can likely communicate with just a glance, and you often know what the other is thinking.

© Shutterstock

You feel a deep empathy -

When the other person feels pain, you feel pain. When they feel joy, you feel joy. Any feelings or symptoms often feel shared.

© Shutterstock

They push you to do and be better -

As a mirror, they also see themselves in you, and want you to do and be better because your purposes are aligned. You challenge each other to rise together, and you grow very quickly with this person.

© Shutterstock

Things to be careful of -

Because your twin flame may mirror your own issues or unhealthy habits, things can quickly turn toxic. Additionally, twin flames may begin to define themselves by and feel dysfunctional without their mirror partner, which can result in an unhealthy dependence.

© Shutterstock

Twin flames aren't always meant to be together -

Though people might romanticize the idea of finding a twin flame, there comes a point when it's often in both people's best interests to walk away. Sometimes twin flames come into your life merely to teach you something or steer you on your course before you go your separate ways.

© Shutterstock

Sometimes it's preparation to find a soulmate -

"Most of the twin flames I know have not ended up with their twin flame but have ended up with a high-level soulmate. I don't think twin flames are meant to be a lifetime relationship. I believe they are meant to be that catalyst," psychospiritual mentor and love coach Lisa Vallejos told Allure.

© Shutterstock

Pay attention to the time of entrance -

It's said that a twin flame reunion is divinely timed for when both mirrors are ready to experience intense growth and the challenges required on the way.

© Shutterstock

The ultimate purpose -

Expert Todd Savvas told Brides that at its most essential level, twin flames are designed to test and develop your understanding of yourself, and to speed up growth, remove blockages, and lead you closer to true self-love.

© Shutterstock

Twin flames are not inherently "the one" -

Though twin flames and soulmates are often confused with being "the one," people who subscribe to the belief of twin flames actually don't tend to believe in the concept of there being one person to spend your life with. A twin flame will "only" change your life and help you grow into the person you're supposed to be for the rest of your life.

Sources: (Mind Body Green) (Brides) (Allure) (Psych2Go) (Healthline)

© Shutterstock