Soul Ties: 6 Signs and How to Break Them (2024)

A soul tie is an emotional and spiritual connection between two people. It can be formed through relationships and interactions with certain individuals, such as family members, friends, co-workers, romantic partners, and even pets.

The bond shared between two people who are connected by soul ties can be strong and long-lasting. Unfortunately, not all soul ties are positive ones; some cause us to become attached to unhealthy or destructive relationships that we should break away from in order to heal and move forward in life.

The concept of a soul tie first originated in New Age belief systems and has been adopted in some Christian communities, though it is a concept that can be applied to anyone regardless of their spiritual or religious beliefs. The term became popularized in the early 2000s as part of an effort to help people recognize and break away from unhealthy or toxic relationships.

Soul Tie vs. Twin Flame

Though similar, soul ties and twin flames are not the same.


A soul tie is formed when two individuals share a strong emotional or spiritual connection, while a twin flame is a deeper and more intense connection between two people who are believed to have been created from one single source of energy and consciousness.

Whereas a twin flame connection is usually considered to be a positive and healing-filled relationship, the same may not be true for all soul ties.

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Signs You've Found a Soul Tie

When two people have formed a healthy and positive soul-tie connection, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. A healthy soul-tie relationship should enhance your life, not take away from it.

The following are signs that you may have found a positive soul-tie connection:

  • Feeling energized or inspired after spending time with the other person. How do you feel after spending time with the other person? Do you feel rejuvenated and inspired, or do you find yourself feeling drained or exhausted? A positive soul-tie connection should leave you feeling energized and creative.
  • Having a strong feeling of comfort and security in the other person’s presence. Do you feel safe with the other person? Do you trust them, and do they inspire confidence in you? Healthy soul ties should create a sense of safety and trust between two people.
  • Being able to express yourself openly without fear of judgment or criticism. Are you comfortable being authentic and vulnerable with the other person? A healthy soul-tie connection should provide an atmosphere where both parties can express themselves openly without fear of judgment or criticism.
  • Mutual respect and admiration for each other. Do you admire the other person, and do they show respect for you? Healthy soul ties are built on mutual respect and admiration between two people.
  • A feeling of unconditional love and acceptance. Do you feel accepted by the other person without condition? A positive soul-tie connection should provide a sense of unconditional love and acceptance from both sides.
  • Having a deep level of understanding and empathy for the other person. Do you feel like the other person truly understands and empathizes with you? A positive soul-tie connection should be one where both parties can offer each other support, love, and understanding.

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Dangers of a Soul Tie Connection

When a soul tie connection is unhealthy, it can be dangerous and destructive. People who are in an unhealthy soul-tie relationship may experience intense jealousy, possessiveness, and codependency.

They may become overly attached to the other person and struggle to define their identity without them.

In addition, they may feel a sense of emptiness when separated from the other person or find that their life lacks meaning without them.

The following are signs that you may be in an unhealthy soul-tie relationship:

  • Feeling anxious when away from the other person for too long
  • Becoming overly dependent on the other person for emotional support
  • Having difficulty making decisions without the other person’s input
  • Feeling jealous or possessive of the other person
  • Struggling to define your identity without them
  • Feeling drained or exhausted after interacting with them
  • Experiencing a sense of emptiness when away from them

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How to Break an Unhealthy Soul Tie Connection

If you find yourself in an unhealthy soul-tie connection, there are steps you can take to break the tie and restore balance in your life. It is important to remember that healing takes time, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen overnight.

  1. Acknowledge the unhealthy soul-tie connection: Take some time to reflect on the relationship and identify what makes it unhealthy or destructive. Identify how this connection has impacted your life negatively and why it needs to be broken.
  2. Cut off contact with the other person: While it may not be easy, one of the first steps in breaking an unhealthy soul-tie connection is cutting off contact with the other person as much as possible. This includes avoiding seeing them in person, removing them from social media, and blocking their number if possible.
  3. Surround yourself with positive people: Spend time connecting with positive people to help restore your energy and lift your spirits. Seek out relationships that are healthy and supportive, both in person and online.
  4. Practice self-care: Take the time to practice self-care by engaging in activities such as yoga, journaling, or meditation that help you relax and restore balance in your life.
  5. Rely on a Higher Power: Connecting with a higher power can help provide strength during difficult times and give you peace of mind knowing that you are not alone in this process of healing.
  6. Forgive yourself and the other person: One of the most important steps in breaking an unhealthy soul-tie connection is forgiving yourself and the other person. This can be a difficult step, but it’s important to remember that forgiveness is not about condoning someone’s actions, but rather releasing your anger and resentment to move forward with peace and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes a soul tie?

    In order for a soul tie to be created, there must be an emotional connection between two people. This can be created through intense or prolonged interactions, such as a romantic relationship, close friendship, or even a strong bond with a mentor.

  • What are the four types of soul ties?

    Soul ties can involve physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects. Physical soul ties may involve physical contact such as sexual intimacy; emotional soul ties involve intense feelings of attachment; mental soul ties involve close intellectual connections; and spiritual soul ties involve a deep connection to one another's spirituality or religious beliefs.

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7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

    1. Carswell KL, Impett EA.What fuels passion? An integrative review of competing theories of romantic passion.Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 2021.
  1. Stanton SC, Campbell L, Loving TJ. Energized by love: thinking about romantic relationships increases positive affect and blood glucose levels.Psychophysiology. 2014;51(10):990-995. doi:10.1111/psyp.12249

  2. Luke MA, Sedikides C, Carnelley K. Your love lifts me higher! The energizing quality of secure relationships.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2012;38(6):721-733. doi:10.1177/0146167211436117

  3. Willems YE, Finkenauer C, Kerkhof P. The role of disclosure in relationships.Curr Opin Psychol. 2020;31:33-37. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.07.032

  4. Schindler I. Relations of admiration and adoration with other emotions and well-being.Psychol Well Being. 2014;4(1):14. doi:10.1186/s13612-014-0014-7

  5. Beauregard M, Courtemanche J, Paquette V, St-Pierre EL. The neural basis of unconditional love.Psychiatry Res. 2009;172(2):93-98. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2008.11.003

  6. Dijkstra P, Barelds DP, Groothof HA, van Bruggen M. Empathy in intimate relationships: the role of positive illusions.Scand J Psychol. 2014;55(5):477-482. doi:10.1111/sjop.12142

Soul Ties: 6 Signs and How to Break Them (1)

By Arlin Cuncic, MA
Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

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Soul Ties: 6 Signs and How to Break Them (2024)

FAQs

How do you destroy a soul tie? ›

Go No-Contact (Or Limit Contact) Going no-contact is the most intimidating step, but it's also the most crucial. Truly breaking a soul tie means ceasing connection with the other person. Aim to eliminate contact, both in the real world and online, as much as possible.

How to tell if a soul tie is broken? ›

Wondering, “Can soul ties be broken?” Breaking a soul tie is a spiritual process; there is no surefire way to know whether or not you have successfully broken one. However, you may experience a sense of freedom, release, and emotional healing after cutting ties with a person or a past experience.

How long do soul ties last? ›

A soul-tie connection can be romantic or platonic, and it can last decades or weeks. It can be a person you encounter only once, or someone you return to again and again throughout your life.

Can you have multiple soul ties? ›

A soul tie is a spiritual link between two people.

You might think of it as a physical cord, or tie, that connects two people. You can have more than one soul tie throughout your life. Soul ties can also be one-sided if the person you feel deeply connected to doesn't reciprocate your feelings.

Can soul ties be undone? ›

Breaking soul ties requires a commitment to heal yourself of past wounds and learn how to remove negative thoughts from your mind so that they no longer control your emotions and behavior. It's important to understand that soul ties aren't always negative—they can also be positive.

What are the dangers of soul ties? ›

When a soul tie connection is unhealthy, it can be dangerous and destructive. People who are in an unhealthy soul-tie relationship may experience intense jealousy, possessiveness, and codependency. They may become overly attached to the other person and struggle to define their identity without them.

How to break ties with someone you love? ›

How to Break Up With Someone You Love
  1. Put yourself in their position.
  2. Don't assign blame.
  3. Carefully consider where you plan to have the conversation.
  4. Avoid lying about your reasoning.
  5. Set clear boundaries.
  6. Understand that you'll feel hurt and sad.
  7. Create a post-breakup plan...and stick to it.
Dec 15, 2023

How do you know if you found your soul tie? ›

It's almost like the two of you speak the same language, or this person understands you in an effortless way, says Caracappa: “They just get you, and the connection can feel seamless.” If you notice your communication with a new person in your life is clear, open, respectful, and even comfortable in conflict, it's ...

What's the difference between a soul tie and a soul bond? ›

A soul tie is an intense emotional connection, but unlike a soulmate bond, it can be unhealthy and draining. It's like being stuck in a toxic relationship that you just can't seem to escape.

Do soul ties feel the same? ›

How a person experiences a connection with their supposed soulmate can vary significantly from person to person. Some people may feel a strong, immediate connection, while others may build a more profound connection over time.

What is a toxic tie? ›

A toxic tie is when you feel yourself being held hostage in a relationship in which you feel yourself losing power. You don't want to feel this way, but you don't seem able to stop. One common root of this is being raised by parents who had a toxic tie to one another.

Do men get soul ties? ›

A common question is do soul ties affect men. As a rule, men can be as vulnerable to emotion as women, especially when it reaches a particular level of intensity. Still, when these ties become unhealthy, it can be challenging to break them.

How to break a soul contract? ›

Write a letter of release: This is a popular method of breaking a soul contract. The idea is to write a letter addressed to the other soul or souls involved in the contract, expressing gratitude for the lessons learned but also stating one`s intention to release oneself from the agreement.

Can you have a soul tie with someone you haven't slept with? ›

Are soul ties only formed through sex? While soul ties are formed when two people have sex, they can also be formed through other forms of physical touch. In her book about sex & purity, Marian Jordan Ellis talks about how oxytocin is released through intimate touch and arousal, not just during intercourse.

Are soul ties easy to break? ›

If you recognize that a soul tie connection is negatively impacting your mental health or hurting the other relationships in your life, experts note it may be time to break that bond and move on. However, this can be difficult, since soul tie bonds are so intense and deeply felt.

How do you pray to break a soul tie? ›

Father, I confess that I have engaged in a sexual connection with __________________ [name of person]. I confess this as sin and ask You to forgive me for my involvement in this behavior. I renounce the connection that was formed and ask You, heavenly Father, to sever any connection that was formed by this activity.

Where in the Bible does it say to break soul ties? ›

Bible Verses about Soul Ties
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. ...
  • Ephesians 6:12. ...
  • Matthew 16:26. ...
  • 1 Samuel 18:1. ...
  • 1 Corinthians 6:16. ...
  • Genesis 2:24. ...
  • Revelation 17:5. ...
  • John 3:16.

What causes soul ties? ›

Spiritual connections

Shared spiritual beliefs, practices, or experiences are also believed to form soul ties. These connections are thought to be rooted in a shared spiritual energy or essence that binds individuals together.

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