8 Signs You’ve Found A True Soul Friend

A soul friend is not just someone you meet, but one who becomes a part of you, and your journey through life. Here are signs that identify a soul friendship.

Do you have a friend who always makes sure that you are happy, content, protected, and supported? Well, then you are lucky to have them in your life!

“A true friend is one soul in two bodies.” – Aristotle

What do you define as a “friend”? Take a moment to think about your answer.

Once upon a time, people described true friendship as a connection between two fiercely loyal people who would give their lives for each other’s well-being. A true friend used to be thought of as a person who would stick with us through thick and thin; an alter-ego of sorts who we could confide in about anything and everything, and trust completely.

These days the meaning of friendship has been somewhat diminished as we assign our drinking buddies, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances with the “friendship” status (don’t get me wrong, some of these people can be true friends, but usually not).

We even reward the strangers and distant associates on our social networking account “friend lists” with the devalued title, as though the word “friend” is nothing more than a worthless, futile word that can be tossed around and pinned onto anyone with a face.

While it is great that we are open enough to assign anyone in our lives as “friends,” our ignorance of what a true friend is and what being a true friend means contributes to a great sense of isolation and loneliness in our lives.

We have even turned “friend” into doublespeak with the modern world “for enemy” being used as a way of describing people who you are friendly with (like with a friend) but secretly dislike (like with an enemy).

More than ever the importance of making and learning how to be a true soul friend is a vital part of life satisfaction in our increasingly disconnected society. I hope to explore this a bit more with you today.

Finding And Being A True Soul Friend

Sociologist and psychologist Lillian Rubin conducted an intriguing study that was published in her book, “Just Friends: The Role of Friendship in Our Lives” back in the 1980s which was created to discover whether people reciprocally identified each other as “best friends,” or not.

In this study, 132 people were asked to write down the name of one person within the group who they identified as their best friend.

To Rubin’s surprise, 84 out of the 132 respondents didn’t mention the person who originally submitted their name as their best friend. Only 18 out of the 132 respondents mutually identified each other as best friends.

Related: 4 Tips For Making Female Friendships As An Adult

What implications does this study have on our lives?

The reality is that our perceptions of “friendship” have weakened so much that most of us – as revealed by this study – struggle to even identify our mutual close friends.

To me friendship is one of the most pure forms of love among humans because it (rarely) receives any form of sexual or monetary gratification/compensation; just the joy of connecting deeply with another.

Perhaps this is why we love and worship our pets so much?

They often provide the only form of true soul friendship we can find immediately in our lives. The love of a pet is unconditional love.

Can you say the same for yourself or for others?

Asking myself this question often makes me stop dead in my tracks as I come to face all of the conditions that I tend to impose on others that stymies a true soul friendship.

And honestly, while this shocks and deeply grieves me, I see it as an opportunity to grow – and I hope you can grow with me as well.

Fortunately, I have found a couple of true soul friends in my own life who have taught me a lot about the meaning of unconditional love.

This is what I have learned: 8 True Signs Of A Soul Friendship In Your Life

1. You can talk with a soul friend about anything.

There is no need to hide any topic away or “walk on eggshells” when talking with a soul friend. Although they might have their own contrary opinions, you can nevertheless feel a refreshing sense of liberty and openness when talking with them.

Soul Friend

2. Their criticism is constructive, not destructive.

A soul friend wants to help you grow and build you up rather than tear you down … because why would they want to see you suffer?

They don’t get any benefit from it. For this reason, a soul friend is transparent and forthcoming with their critiques and doesn’t resort to passive aggression, bitchiness, or pretense. They trust in the friendship enough to know that an embarrassing revelation won’t toss the connection onto the rocks.

3. You truly feel heard and understood when in the presence of a soul friend.

Rather than talking over you, misunderstanding what you’re saying, or always hogging the attention in a conversation, soul friends open themselves up to listening – truly listening, with the intent to understand your thoughts, feelings, dreams, or dilemmas.

There will always be a balance of speaking and listening while communicating with soul friends, in other words, you will both talk and listen equally.

4. You can completely trust them.

When you confide in a soul friend about something delicate or highly personal in nature, they honor your privacy and deeply respect the confidence you have placed in them.

They do not use your revelations as secret social fodder behind your back, nor do they betray your trust by letting your confidential conversations leak out. You can trust them with your life.

Related: 8 Signs Of A Toxic Friendship

5. They respect your boundaries.

Rather than being pushy, needy, or demanding, soul friends respect your need for space and don’t take your personal boundaries personally.

6. They value forgiveness and don’t hold on to resentments.

A soul friend is aware that no one is perfect (including themselves) and therefore they prefer not to hold onto bitterness and resentments.

If they are angry or hurt, they prefer to talk about it directly and openly rather than hiding it away. While they will forgive you of your shortcomings, they know where to draw the line when repeatedly betrayed.

Friends That Understand Your Anti-social Phases

7. They see the best in you.

One of the most precious gifts that a soul friend gives in a friendship is unfailing kindness and goodwill. While you might feel ugly, your friend will remind you of your beauty.

While you might feel talentless, your friend will remind you of your many skills. In this way, they pick you up when you feel low, reminding you of your inner beauty, power, and capability.

Related: Why You Should Invest in the “Right” Relationships to Experience More Happiness

8. Your soul friend is with you through thick and thin.

A true soul friend is with you through your darkest nights and brightest days.

As loyal, compassionate companions they are by your side when you are at your absolute worst, offering a helping hand and shoulder to lean on for support – and also when you’re at your most happy and successful, cheering you on in the sidelines.

Regardless of what point you’re at in life, soul friends are the most loyal companions, confidants, and comforters.

Who is a soul friend to you? How can you be a better soul friend? And how can you go about inviting such meaningful connections into your life?


Written by Aletheia Luna
Originally appeared on Lonerwolf
Republished with permission
8 SIGNS OF A TRUE SOUL FRIEND
true soul friend
Signs Of A True Soul pin
Signs Of A True Soul Friend pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Today’s Horoscope

  • Daily Horoscope 16 May 2025: Prediction For Each Zodiac Sign

    Daily Horoscope 16 May 2025: Prediction For Each Zodiac Sign

    🌟 Ready to unlock the secrets of 16 May, 2025? Discover your personalized horoscope and see what the stars have in store for you today! ✨🔮

    /

Latest Quizzes

Latest Quotes

  • Twist The Truth, And Then Play The Victim: Toxic Relationship Quotes

    Twist The Truth, And Then Play The Victim: Toxic Relationship Quotes

    Some people will do you dirty and never think twice

    /

  • I Admire Women Who Leave – Self Love Quotes

    I Admire Women Who Leave – Self Love Quotes

    Celebrate the strength of women who walk away from toxic relationships!

    /

Readers Blog

  • Divorce Detox – Offense Defense

    Divorce Detox – Offense Defense

    Divorce can be a tough life event. For some, divorce can be wonderful. Regardless of your perspective, there is one key concept that takes place in every divorce. That is, are you on the offensive or defensive? You may be asking yourself – What is he talking about? This isn’t a sporting event with an…

    /

8 Signs You’ve Found A True Soul Friend

Written By:

A soul friend is not just someone you meet, but one who becomes a part of you, and your journey through life. Here are signs that identify a soul friendship.

Do you have a friend who always makes sure that you are happy, content, protected, and supported? Well, then you are lucky to have them in your life!

“A true friend is one soul in two bodies.” – Aristotle

What do you define as a “friend”? Take a moment to think about your answer.

Once upon a time, people described true friendship as a connection between two fiercely loyal people who would give their lives for each other’s well-being. A true friend used to be thought of as a person who would stick with us through thick and thin; an alter-ego of sorts who we could confide in about anything and everything, and trust completely.

These days the meaning of friendship has been somewhat diminished as we assign our drinking buddies, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances with the “friendship” status (don’t get me wrong, some of these people can be true friends, but usually not).

We even reward the strangers and distant associates on our social networking account “friend lists” with the devalued title, as though the word “friend” is nothing more than a worthless, futile word that can be tossed around and pinned onto anyone with a face.

While it is great that we are open enough to assign anyone in our lives as “friends,” our ignorance of what a true friend is and what being a true friend means contributes to a great sense of isolation and loneliness in our lives.

We have even turned “friend” into doublespeak with the modern world “for enemy” being used as a way of describing people who you are friendly with (like with a friend) but secretly dislike (like with an enemy).

More than ever the importance of making and learning how to be a true soul friend is a vital part of life satisfaction in our increasingly disconnected society. I hope to explore this a bit more with you today.

Finding And Being A True Soul Friend

Sociologist and psychologist Lillian Rubin conducted an intriguing study that was published in her book, “Just Friends: The Role of Friendship in Our Lives” back in the 1980s which was created to discover whether people reciprocally identified each other as “best friends,” or not.

In this study, 132 people were asked to write down the name of one person within the group who they identified as their best friend.

To Rubin’s surprise, 84 out of the 132 respondents didn’t mention the person who originally submitted their name as their best friend. Only 18 out of the 132 respondents mutually identified each other as best friends.

Related: 4 Tips For Making Female Friendships As An Adult

What implications does this study have on our lives?

The reality is that our perceptions of “friendship” have weakened so much that most of us – as revealed by this study – struggle to even identify our mutual close friends.

To me friendship is one of the most pure forms of love among humans because it (rarely) receives any form of sexual or monetary gratification/compensation; just the joy of connecting deeply with another.

Perhaps this is why we love and worship our pets so much?

They often provide the only form of true soul friendship we can find immediately in our lives. The love of a pet is unconditional love.

Can you say the same for yourself or for others?

Asking myself this question often makes me stop dead in my tracks as I come to face all of the conditions that I tend to impose on others that stymies a true soul friendship.

And honestly, while this shocks and deeply grieves me, I see it as an opportunity to grow – and I hope you can grow with me as well.

Fortunately, I have found a couple of true soul friends in my own life who have taught me a lot about the meaning of unconditional love.

This is what I have learned: 8 True Signs Of A Soul Friendship In Your Life

1. You can talk with a soul friend about anything.

There is no need to hide any topic away or “walk on eggshells” when talking with a soul friend. Although they might have their own contrary opinions, you can nevertheless feel a refreshing sense of liberty and openness when talking with them.

Soul Friend

2. Their criticism is constructive, not destructive.

A soul friend wants to help you grow and build you up rather than tear you down … because why would they want to see you suffer?

They don’t get any benefit from it. For this reason, a soul friend is transparent and forthcoming with their critiques and doesn’t resort to passive aggression, bitchiness, or pretense. They trust in the friendship enough to know that an embarrassing revelation won’t toss the connection onto the rocks.

3. You truly feel heard and understood when in the presence of a soul friend.

Rather than talking over you, misunderstanding what you’re saying, or always hogging the attention in a conversation, soul friends open themselves up to listening – truly listening, with the intent to understand your thoughts, feelings, dreams, or dilemmas.

There will always be a balance of speaking and listening while communicating with soul friends, in other words, you will both talk and listen equally.

4. You can completely trust them.

When you confide in a soul friend about something delicate or highly personal in nature, they honor your privacy and deeply respect the confidence you have placed in them.

They do not use your revelations as secret social fodder behind your back, nor do they betray your trust by letting your confidential conversations leak out. You can trust them with your life.

Related: 8 Signs Of A Toxic Friendship

5. They respect your boundaries.

Rather than being pushy, needy, or demanding, soul friends respect your need for space and don’t take your personal boundaries personally.

6. They value forgiveness and don’t hold on to resentments.

A soul friend is aware that no one is perfect (including themselves) and therefore they prefer not to hold onto bitterness and resentments.

If they are angry or hurt, they prefer to talk about it directly and openly rather than hiding it away. While they will forgive you of your shortcomings, they know where to draw the line when repeatedly betrayed.

Friends That Understand Your Anti-social Phases

7. They see the best in you.

One of the most precious gifts that a soul friend gives in a friendship is unfailing kindness and goodwill. While you might feel ugly, your friend will remind you of your beauty.

While you might feel talentless, your friend will remind you of your many skills. In this way, they pick you up when you feel low, reminding you of your inner beauty, power, and capability.

Related: Why You Should Invest in the “Right” Relationships to Experience More Happiness

8. Your soul friend is with you through thick and thin.

A true soul friend is with you through your darkest nights and brightest days.

As loyal, compassionate companions they are by your side when you are at your absolute worst, offering a helping hand and shoulder to lean on for support – and also when you’re at your most happy and successful, cheering you on in the sidelines.

Regardless of what point you’re at in life, soul friends are the most loyal companions, confidants, and comforters.

Who is a soul friend to you? How can you be a better soul friend? And how can you go about inviting such meaningful connections into your life?


Written by Aletheia Luna
Originally appeared on Lonerwolf
Republished with permission
8 SIGNS OF A TRUE SOUL FRIEND
true soul friend
Signs Of A True Soul pin
Signs Of A True Soul Friend pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Outgrown A Friendship? Here’s How To Walk Away Without The Drama

Outgrown A Friendship? 7 Clear Ways To Leave Without Drama

At what point did you realize you’d outgrown a friendship? For me, it was when I found myself dreading the hangouts I used to look forward to. I’d sit there, smiling, laughing at the same inside jokes, but inside I felt… off. Like I was playing an old version of myself just to fit in.

Do you also feel like you don’t have anything in common with your friends? Different values, different priorities, different energy. And you still loved them, but you stopped enjoying being around them the way you used to.

It’s a strange kind of heartbreak, because nothing technically went wrong. And these people were part of your life for years, someone you made core memories with. But sometimes, the version of you that chose those friendships isn’t the version of you that exists now.

Up Next

Don’t Like Your Partner’s Friends? 6 Ways To Handle Them Without Starting Drama

When You Don't Like Your Partners Friends​? 6 Easy Hacks

So, you’re crazy about your partner, but their friends? Not so much… So before you start plotting your escape from every social event, let’s talk about what to do when you don’t like your partners friends​.

Maybe they’re loud, immature, or just give off bad vibes. And when their names keep popping up in every conversation, and every weekend plan somehow includes them, it starts to get frustrating.

So, whatever the reason, you find yourself stuck in the awkward position of hating your boyfriend’s friends or your girlfriend’s friends.

Here’s what to do when you don’t like your partner’s friends…

Read

Up Next

How To Strengthen Friendships: 54 Ways to Make Your Bonds Unshakable

How to Strengthen Friendships: 54 Simple Ideas That Work

Strengthening friendships doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s all about showing up, making time, and adding a little extra effort. If you’ve been wondering how to strengthen friendships or looking for fun ways to strengthen a friendship, these simple, effective tips have got you covered.

KEY POINTS

Friendships are essential for our survival and well-being, so we have good reason to strengthen these bonds.

Research has identified strategies people use to strengthen desirable friendships.

The most common strategy is to provide support, offering help during challenging times.

Up Next

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (And Not Fight): How To Survive Girls Trip Without Coming Home As Enemies

How To Survive Girls Trip Without Fighting? Ways

If HBO’s The White Lotus has taught us anything, it’s that vacations can be a breeding ground for drama. The latest season throws a girls’ trip into the spotlight, reminding us how even the best of friendships can unravel under passive-aggressive comments, unspoken grievances, and clashing personalities. So here’s a guide on how to survive girls trip without fighting!

We’ve all been there. As much as we love our friends, group travel has a way of unearthing old tensions and testing patience. So how do you make sure your dream getaway doesn’t turn into a friendship-ending fiasco?

To avoid coming back with more emotional baggage than souvenirs, here’s how to travel with friends without becoming enemies and losing your mind!

Up Next

What It Means to Be Kindred Spirits and 7 Signs You’ve Found Your Perfect Match

What It Means to Be Kindred Spirits and the Signs You’ve Found Your Perfect Match

We all meet many people in life, but every once in a while, we come across someone who feels different—like they’ve known us forever. These are our kindred spirits. They understand us in ways others don’t, and being around them feels natural and easy, like coming home.

As human beings, we are wired for connection. The bonds we form with others give our lives meaning and color. They lift us when we’re struggling and make the good moments even sweeter. But a kindred spirit goes beyond ordinary friendship. It’s a rare and beautiful connection that touches the heart and soul.

When you meet a kindred spirit, it’s like finding a missing piece of yourself. Conversations flow effortlessly, and there’s an unspoken understanding between you. You feel seen—not just for who you are, but for who you’re becoming.

Up Next

How To Weed Out Toxic Friends With A Simple Friendship Audit!

How To Weed Out Toxic Friends With A Simple Friendship Audit!

Sometimes, we all need a friendship audit. Life is too short to spend time with people who drain our energy or make us feel small. The right friends lift us up, celebrate our wins, and stand by us through the tough times. But if certain friendships bring more stress than joy, it might be time to take a closer look.

It’s easy to feel stuck in relationships that no longer serve us. Maybe we worry about hurting someone’s feelings, or perhaps the history we share makes it hard to walk away. But the truth is, we have the power to choose who we allow in our lives. And just like we clean out our closets, we should regularly evaluate our friendships to ensure they bring us the positivity and support we deserve.

Today, we’ll understand what a friendship audit is and how to do one…

Up Next

6 Easy Ways to Reconnect With an Old Friend (Without Making It Awkward!)

Easy Tips To Reconnect With An Old Friend Without Making It Awkward

We all have that one friend we used to be close with—the person we laughed with, shared secrets with, and made countless memories with. But over time, life happens. People move, schedules fill up, and before you know it, months or even years have passed without a word. If you’ve been thinking about reaching out but feel nervous about how to start, you’re not alone. Reconnecting with an old friend can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

The good news is that most friendships don’t disappear—they just pause. Today, we talk about practical and natural ways to reconnect with an old friend making things awkward.

6 Ways To Reconnect With An Old Friend