Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsHow to Nurture Your RelationshipBenefitsEmbracing Platonic Soulmates
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs
How to Nurture Your Relationship
Benefits
Embracing Platonic Soulmates
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We know what it feels like to hit it off with someone instantly. You recognize akindred spiritin someone and form a deep bond with them. The two of you just seem to get each other.
The person isn’t just your best friend, they’re somehow more than that. It feels like they’re yoursoulmate, but you don’t think of themthat way. You’re not physically attracted to them and you don’t have romantic feelings for them, but the two of you just click. You love them, but you’ll never bein lovewith them. In that case, the person may be your platonic soulmate.
A platonic soulmate is someone we feel a strong sense of connection, familiarity, understanding, and intimacy toward without being attracted to the person, saysSabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist specializing in interpersonal relationships.
At a GlanceSoulmates don’t only have to be confined to romantic relationships. We can also have really close friends who we’re so in tune with that they feel like soulmates. Just without all the feelings, complications, and drama that can sometimes accompany romantic relationships, making platonic soulmates pretty awesome.Platonic soulmates have our backs and offer unconditional support. We can be ourauthentic selveswith them without worrying about being judged. Having them in our lives can be a major blessing.
At a Glance
Soulmates don’t only have to be confined to romantic relationships. We can also have really close friends who we’re so in tune with that they feel like soulmates. Just without all the feelings, complications, and drama that can sometimes accompany romantic relationships, making platonic soulmates pretty awesome.Platonic soulmates have our backs and offer unconditional support. We can be ourauthentic selveswith them without worrying about being judged. Having them in our lives can be a major blessing.
Soulmates don’t only have to be confined to romantic relationships. We can also have really close friends who we’re so in tune with that they feel like soulmates. Just without all the feelings, complications, and drama that can sometimes accompany romantic relationships, making platonic soulmates pretty awesome.
Platonic soulmates have our backs and offer unconditional support. We can be ourauthentic selveswith them without worrying about being judged. Having them in our lives can be a major blessing.
How Do You Know If Someone Is Your Platonic Soulmate?
These are some of the signs of a platonic soulmate:
While romantic relationships have a similar level of intensity of connection, they tend to be less stable and are vulnerable to highs and lows, rejection,betrayal, and breakups, says Dr. Romanoff. “Platonic soulmates are much more immune to the ups and downs of romantic relationships and therefore have a more unique and valuable role in our lives.”
Nurturing a Platonic Soulmate Relationship
These are some strategies that can help you form and nurture platonic connections:
How the 4 Types of Friendship Fit Into Your Life
Benefits of Having a Platonic Soulmate
These are some of the benefits of having a platonic soulmate in your life:
Being able to be vulnerable and share your experiences and feelings without defenses is one of the greatest benefits of platonic soulmates. These relationships can help you feel more connected, validated, and strengthened.—SABRINA ROMANOFF, PSYD
Being able to be vulnerable and share your experiences and feelings without defenses is one of the greatest benefits of platonic soulmates. These relationships can help you feel more connected, validated, and strengthened.
—SABRINA ROMANOFF, PSYD
Embracing Platonic Soulmates for a Fulfilling Life
While the spotlight is often on romantic soulmates, it’s important to recognize the platonic soulmates in our lives. These are the childhood friends, college buddies, or colleagues that we just click with right away and become fast friends with.
14 Sure-fire Ways to Find and Make Friends as an Adult
6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Philosophy of love.Song I, Kwon JW, Jeon SM.The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age.PLoS One. 2023 Jul 13;18(7):e0288095. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0288095Scheuplein M, van Harmelen AL.The importance of friendships in reducing brain responses to stress in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity: a preregistered systematic review.Curr Opin Psychol. 2022 Jun;45:101310. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101310Hong JH, Yeh CS, Sandy LG, Fellows A, Martin DC, Shaeffer JA, Tkatch R, Parker K, Kim ES.Friendship and loneliness: a prototype roadmap for health system action.Am J Prev Med. 2022 Jul;63(1):141-145. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.017Pezirkianidis C, Galanaki E, Raftopoulou G, Moraitou D, Stalikas A.Adult friendship and wellbeing: a systematic review with practical implications.Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 24;14:1059057. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059057Shanahan S.Belonging together: friendship, hope, and well-being among young adults.Perspect Biol Med. 2022;65(1):143-156. doi:10.1353/pbm.2022.0009
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Philosophy of love.Song I, Kwon JW, Jeon SM.The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age.PLoS One. 2023 Jul 13;18(7):e0288095. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0288095Scheuplein M, van Harmelen AL.The importance of friendships in reducing brain responses to stress in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity: a preregistered systematic review.Curr Opin Psychol. 2022 Jun;45:101310. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101310Hong JH, Yeh CS, Sandy LG, Fellows A, Martin DC, Shaeffer JA, Tkatch R, Parker K, Kim ES.Friendship and loneliness: a prototype roadmap for health system action.Am J Prev Med. 2022 Jul;63(1):141-145. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.017Pezirkianidis C, Galanaki E, Raftopoulou G, Moraitou D, Stalikas A.Adult friendship and wellbeing: a systematic review with practical implications.Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 24;14:1059057. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059057Shanahan S.Belonging together: friendship, hope, and well-being among young adults.Perspect Biol Med. 2022;65(1):143-156. doi:10.1353/pbm.2022.0009
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Philosophy of love.Song I, Kwon JW, Jeon SM.The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age.PLoS One. 2023 Jul 13;18(7):e0288095. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0288095Scheuplein M, van Harmelen AL.The importance of friendships in reducing brain responses to stress in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity: a preregistered systematic review.Curr Opin Psychol. 2022 Jun;45:101310. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101310Hong JH, Yeh CS, Sandy LG, Fellows A, Martin DC, Shaeffer JA, Tkatch R, Parker K, Kim ES.Friendship and loneliness: a prototype roadmap for health system action.Am J Prev Med. 2022 Jul;63(1):141-145. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.017Pezirkianidis C, Galanaki E, Raftopoulou G, Moraitou D, Stalikas A.Adult friendship and wellbeing: a systematic review with practical implications.Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 24;14:1059057. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059057Shanahan S.Belonging together: friendship, hope, and well-being among young adults.Perspect Biol Med. 2022;65(1):143-156. doi:10.1353/pbm.2022.0009
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Philosophy of love.
Song I, Kwon JW, Jeon SM.The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age.PLoS One. 2023 Jul 13;18(7):e0288095. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0288095
Scheuplein M, van Harmelen AL.The importance of friendships in reducing brain responses to stress in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity: a preregistered systematic review.Curr Opin Psychol. 2022 Jun;45:101310. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101310
Hong JH, Yeh CS, Sandy LG, Fellows A, Martin DC, Shaeffer JA, Tkatch R, Parker K, Kim ES.Friendship and loneliness: a prototype roadmap for health system action.Am J Prev Med. 2022 Jul;63(1):141-145. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.017
Pezirkianidis C, Galanaki E, Raftopoulou G, Moraitou D, Stalikas A.Adult friendship and wellbeing: a systematic review with practical implications.Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 24;14:1059057. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1059057
Shanahan S.Belonging together: friendship, hope, and well-being among young adults.Perspect Biol Med. 2022;65(1):143-156. doi:10.1353/pbm.2022.0009
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