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- You feel at peace around them. Because a kindred spirit feels so familiar to you, being around them makes you feel calmer, says Manly. "There can be an immediate sense of relief as your spirit senses that you've found another soul who knows and understands you."
- You have an unusual amount in common. You and your kindred spirits will likely think alike, act alike, and somehow just feel alike. "When you meet a kindred spirit, you might feel as if you've met an ancient relative who has somehow shown up in the present," says Manly.
- You learn about yourself through them. Kindred spirits can sometimes come into your life and "bring you in touch with certain wisdom again" or "remind you of your own energy and frequency," says Bihlmeier.
- You tend to see things the same way. In addition to sharing interests, you and your kindred spirits will likely see a lot of things similarly. "When you are in touch with this person, you will find a strong resonance with what they are speaking about," says Bihlmeier.
- Overview
- What Is a Kindred Spirit?
- Signs You’ve Found a Kindred Spirit
- Do You Fall in Love With Your Kindred Spirit?
- How Are Kindred Spirits Different From Twin Flames or Soulmates?
- What Role Does a Kindred Spirit Play in Your Life?
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A kindred spirit is someone who shares the same interests, thoughts, beliefs, feelings, values, and attitudes as you. When you meet your kindred spirit, chances are you will hit it off immediately, as you recognize your spirit and energy in each other.
Kindred spirits are compatible, like-minded people who form strong bonds with each other based on shared perspectives, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University.
A connection with a kindred spirit may be fleeting, where you spend only a brief time together but share an intense bond. Or, it may be lifelong, where you manage to maintain a strong connection despite time or distance, says Dr. Romanoff.
These are some signs you’ve found a kindred spirit:
•Common interests: Kindred spirits generally have a lot in common with each other, says Dr. Romanoff. For instance, you may share the same hobbies, opinions, or values.
•Immediate connection: Kindred spirits tend to recognize each other quickly and form an immediate connection. You may have a sense that you know them, regardless of how new they are to your life, says Dr. Romanoff.
•Strong bond: Kindred spirits tend to form strong bonds with each other that often transcend time and distance, says Dr. Romanoff.
•Shared energy: Kindred spirits often have a unique, shared energy that stems from having the same beliefs and passions. It can feel like you’re able to read their mood or mind, says Dr. Romanoff, probably because you’re often thinking or feeling the same thing.
•High degree of comfort: Kindred spirits tend to experience a high degree of comfort with each other. You may feel safe and calm in their presence, and have a high degree of trust in them, even if you’ve just recently met, says Dr. Romanoff.
While you may have a romantic connection with a kindred spirit, it can also be a platonic relationship, such as a friendship or familial relationship.
For instance, you might find a kindred spirit in a sibling, cousin, or grandparent, whom you feel aligned with, Dr. Romanoff explains. “It could also be a friend you meet in a workout class, a stranger at an event, a colleague at work, or a fellow traveler on a journey, whom you recognize as having a common passion or energy.”
In fact, a kindred spirit is often described as a partner in crime or a lifelong friend rather than a romantic partner or a soulmate. “While falling in love is a possibility, kindred spirits typically have a very strong friendship,” says Dr. Romanoff. You might care about the person or even love them, without necessarily being in love with them.
That said, it’s not impossible to fall in love with a kindred spirit who is a potential romantic partner. The deep connection and shared sense of understanding amongst kindred spirits can be a strong foundation for a relationship.
Kindred spirits are not exactly the same as soulmates or twin flames.
For starters, soulmates and twin flames are limited to romantic relationships, whereas kindred spirits can also include friendships, familial relationships, and other types of platonic relationships.
Furthermore, soulmates and twin flames are characterized by love, romance, and passion, whereas, kindred spirits are characterized by common interests and a shared sense of understanding.
In fact, people who are soulmates or twin flames can be complementary opposites; whereas, kindred spirits are usually very similar to each other, says Dr. Romanoff.
A kindred spirit can play many important roles in your life. They can offer:
•Companionship: Kindred spirits can offer enjoyable companionship. Participating in shared interests together can be fun and engaging. Research shows that companionship provides happiness, social satisfaction, and greater psychological well-being.
•Validation: A kindred spirit often shares the same beliefs, which can be validating. They can be a safe space for you to express yourself authentically and offer a deep sense of belonging. Emotional validation can help you feel seen, heard, and accepted.
•Emotional support: A kindred spirit can be a strong support system, says Dr. Romanoff. The person tends to understand you on a deeper level, without the need for lengthy explanations. A 2022 study notes that emotional support can help protect against negative emotions like fear, distress, and loneliness.
•Inspiration: A kindred spirit can introduce you to new ideas and experiences related to your shared interests, which can broaden your horizons and motivate you to pursue your goals. They can inspire you to take risks that can help you achieve what you really want in life, says Dr. Romanoff.
•Personal growth: Often, kindred spirits hold up a mirror for us to learn more about ourselves, be more self-aware, and grow as people, says Dr. Romanoff.
- “Repressive societies always seemed to understand the danger of "wrong" ideas.” ― Octavia E. Butler, Kindred.
- “Better to stay alive," I said. " At least while there's a chance to get free." I thought of the sleeping pills in my bag and wondered just how great a hypocrite I was.
- “That educated didn’t mean smart. He had a point. Nothing in my education or knowledge of the future had helped me to escape. Yet in a few years an illiterate runaway named Harriet Tubman would make nineteen trips into this country and lead three hundred fugitives to freedom.”
- “Sometimes I wrote things because I couldn't say them, couldn't sort out my feelings about them, couldn't keep them bottled inside me.” ― Octavia E. Butler, Kindred.
Apr 25, 2023 · Read on to get the scoop on what a kindred spirit is, the signs you know you’ve met your kindred spirit, and the role this potential other half can play in your life.
- Breanna Robinson
Jun 16, 2021 · What's the definition of a kindred spirit? What does it mean to have this sort of bond? What does it feel like? Find answers to these questions and more.
- Catherine Winter
Feb 11, 2024 · Following is a selection of quotes from Kindred, showcasing Octavia Butler’s keen observations of human nature. After publishing some short stories, Octavia Butler’s first novel was Patternmaster (1976).
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Dec 7, 2023 · Have you ever met someone and instantly felt like you were long-lost buddies from another lifetime? That’s what it means to be “kindred spirits.” Here are some signs you vibe with someone on ...
