• When you first encounter your twin flame, there will be an intense sense of attraction, recognition, and longing.
• Meeting a twin flame often feels like home.
• They feel familiar - an undeniably intense bond as though you have known them before.

• You and your twin flame may find that you have a lot in common as far as values, past experiences, and interests.
• Both of you may find that your past story has a lot of coincidences and similar experiences.

• In those areas that you aren't similar, you'll find your differences complement each other, almost like yin and yang.
• Their shadow, for example, will be complemented by your light, and vice versa.
• And because a twin flame mirrors you, you're likely very aware of how your relationship highlights your shadows, and theirs.

• "The purpose of your twin flame is to support and help you with your divine mission and purpose," notes spiritual author Shannon Kaiser.
• "So, often this type of relationship will reflect your problems and deepest insecurities so you can work through them to heal and grow."

• From the moment you met and still to this day, you feel drawn to them physically when they're near you.
• When you're apart, you magnetically feel each other's presence too.
• It's as though their energy is always with you, always wanting to be closer.

• Twin flame relationships aren't all smooth sailing, and actually, they're usually not.
• Being with a twin flame is like constantly being confronted by yourself, namely the parts of yourself you may not like.
• It can be incredibly challenging, but it's facilitating major growth for both of you.

• There's a definite emotional charge between twin flames, and they often develop quickly because you already feel so familiar.
• Because you are so connected at a soul level, you feel things deeper together, which often makes for more intensity and passion.

• "The chase" is most definitely a part of the twin flame relationship. At some point, one of you may walk away, out of fear, anger - you name it. But you'll often come back.
• If you're in an 'on and off'-again-type relationship, it could be with your twin flame.
• You'll find that things just keep bringing you together in random ways. Could be months, years, even decades; you just always find your way back to one another.

• When you find your twin flame, there's a certain larger-than-life quality that likely feels divine or predestined.
• There is a feeling that you have been brought together by a higher power and that creates a very strong bond between the two of you. (These can also sometimes be karmic relationships )

• You and your twin flame can likely communicate with just a glance, and you always know what the other is thinking.
• You may even feel each other's emotions or symptoms.

• Because twin flames act as mirrors, they challenge us to do better, and oftentimes, your purposes are aligned in a way that pushes both of you to new heights.
• It's a very expansive relationship that promotes a lot of growth.

The stages of a relationship are different when it's your twin flame. Twin flame stages may be unique depending on the people involved, but there are eight common ones listed below.

• Before the two of you meet, you will have an awareness that your other half is out there for you.
• There is deep longing in this phase, and there will be inner work during this phase to prepare you for meeting your twin flame.

• Once you meet, your world will be rocked. Prepare to fall fast.
• When you meet, it is insane instant attraction. You often can't keep your hands off one another and think about and want to spend a ton of time with each other constantly.

• Yes, twin flames can have a honeymoon phase, too! In this phase, your relationship is new, meaningful, and positive.
• How long it lasts depends on the couple, before challenges arise.

• Sooner or later, core wounds emerge, and differences arise in the relationship. 
• Often, these challenges are a reflection of the soul work the two of you need to do on your own.
• It's often not about improving the relationship but rather improving yourself.

• Your love will be put to a test, as you start to dive deep into your shadow sides.
• All your insecurities will rear up as you start to question yourself and each other.
• In this phase, one partner may avoid the other or even abandon the relationship, while the other feels emotionally insecure.
• This is where attachment issuesmay arise.

• The chase, also called twin flame separation, is a big part of many twin flame relationships; someone will always walk away.
• Twin flame relationships have a ton of push-pull. Part of the chase is the reward for each person. But there will be a time when one partner will pull away, and this causes separation.

• The chase can go on for years, but should the two of you work through all your triggers, insecurities, and challenges, eventually you may come back together.
• This is the surrender into the relationship and big picture for you both.
• You accept and allow each other to be who they are, flaws and all. This is where you come back again.
• You accept and allow yourselves to be who you are too.

• And finally, once you've fully surrendered and accepted your destiny, your life begins, and balance feels restored.
• Shared meaning is created, and there is more empathy and understanding in the relationship.
• In this stage, you support each other and continue to facilitate growth for the other.

• Some people consider twin flames to be one of many types of soul mates, with twin flames being the most intense because they are, in fact, one soul.
• The biggest distinction between a twin flame and any other type of soul mate is that twin flames are two halves of the same whole.
• A soul mate, on the other hand, there's a deep familiarity, and you feel very close, but you aren't the same soul.
• Soul mates have contracted to be together, and they don't always mean romantic love. You can have soul mates that are friends, pets, and family members, etc.

• Although twin flames are typically viewed as romantic relationships, they can also be platonic soul mates.
• 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.
• In most cases, though, romance seems to be more common.

• Going by the commonly accepted idea that twin flames are two halves of the same whole, yes, you can have only one.
• This is up for debate though, and it really depends on how you define twin flame.

• No. It is a rare connection, and not everybody has one.
• Ultimately, not everyone feels that pull toward the other part of their soul because it hasn't had this split.

• Yes, this type of relationship can be toxic as your twin flame mirrors your own issues, unhealthy habits, imbalances.
• When twin flames are apart, they may have a hard time functioning. 
• You may also end up defining your self-worth by the relationship.
• These aspects of the twin flame relationship can result in an unhealthy codependency.
• Often, twin flame relationships are romanticised and we tend to overlook some of the negative attributes.
• Twin flames are notorious for being tumultuous if not handled with care. If we don't have self-love and awareness, they can become even more painful.

• Sometimes twin flames are meant together, but not always.
• Because twin flame relationships are very susceptible to codependency and other toxic relationship dynamics, sometimes it's in both people's best interests to simply walk away.
• Sometimes twin flames come into your life to teach you something, and then you're meant to go your separate ways.

• Twin flame relationships are incredibly potent, powerful, and rare. But just because they're strong doesn't mean they're unbreakable - it's still important to work on a conscious partnership and your own individual growth.
• When you do that, the two of you will be catalysts for love, growth, and harmony in each other's lives.