What happens when you meet your soul mate? How is it different from any other relationship you’ve had? Many people have a fairy tale fantasy about what a soulmate is and how to find it.

They expect a normal human to come with mind reading powers or the notion that there will never be any conflict. Some people don’t believe that soulmates exist at all. A soulmate relationship isn’t something that just happens by magic – but it feels magical in the beginning.

Here are eleven rare things that only happen when you’ve found your soulmate:

1. You feel loved as your authentic self

You won’t have to change for your soul mate, although you may make some accommodations for each other – especially as you grow together over time. You may have experienced the heartache of trying to please your partner. It may have felt like no matter what shape you are in, it’s never enough. You may feel that you are somehow unlovable.

This experience does not occur with your soulmate because your soulmate will have you. He will love you because of your quirks and flaws, not in spite of them. He will understand your hurts and triggers, and he will support you to live at your highest and best self. According to research from 2013authenticity in romantic partners signals trustworthiness and stability.

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2. You have more freedom

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Committing to one person frees you up in all other areas of your life. You will have more time and energy to create and manifest your dreams and goals in other areas of your life. This may seem like an oxymoron, but it’s true.

The freedom of knowing that you are attached to an ideal partner and finding your way through the challenges together allows you to take into account each other’s strengths and become better together. You will no longer waste time and energy wondering if he is out there or if you will ever find him. Instead, you’ll feel free to be who you are and live your life the way you want knowing that your soul mate will be by your side no matter what.

3. You feel a deep sense of connection

The feeling that someone gets you is a feeling that only a soulmate can give. You no longer feel like a misfit or an outsider.

The love between the two of you gives you a solid foundation to stand up for yourself in other areas of your life. The connection with your soulmate acts as a safe harbor through any storm.

The feeling of disconnection and going through life on autopilot without meaning is pervasive in the world. People who are alone and lonely or in unfulfilling relationships feel lost.

When you meet your soulmate, you no longer feel lost or on autopilot. You feel alive and present in your life. Your soul has a deep desire to feel connected to yourself and someone else. Your soulmate will give you that kind of deep connection and it’s an endless well of joy and happiness.

4. You are inspired to become the best version of yourself

In a soulmate relationship, you meet to live out your specific life purpose. You support each other to become better people.

Your soulmate sees you in your best light and wants you to be the best version of yourself. Your soul mate will support you to step into that vision.

You don’t need each other to change, but you will inspire each other to grow. With your soulmate by your side, you will evolve to live at your highest and best self.

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5. You can heal your past

Soul mate love is unconditional. You will be loved for all parts of you – the good, the bad and the ugly.

This is a very healing experience. You will develop skills to keep the door to intimacy open despite making mistakes, getting triggered, and navigating through a conflict.

When you are with your soulmate, you will experience many opportunities to heal your wounds together. Letting go of the pains and frustrations of your past relationships allows you to love yourself and your soulmate more deeply.

6. You experience the magic of authenticity

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You and your soulmate will speak your truth. You will not hold back or keep your heart closed. You will each take a risk and talk about how you feel.

Your soul mate will not be offended or put off. He will gladly step up for you to make you happy. He also wants to share with you what he thinks and feels.

True emotional intimacy occurs when you both show up authentically, research from 2019 confirms. When you’re with your soulmate, you don’t have to worry about saying and doing everything perfectly.

7. You learn to embrace conflict

Conflicts can lead to a deeper connection between a couple. Not dealing with conflicts (from small to extra large) can become landmines in your relationship, so it’s best to address issues as they arise. With your soul mate, you will both be willing to work through disagreements to love each other more deeply.

In a soulmate relationship, you won’t fear conflict or avoid it. True love requires no sacrifice. But just because you’re with your soulmate doesn’t mean you won’t have disagreements. Conflicts are inevitable, but with your soulmate, the conflict becomes an opportunity to grow stronger together.

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8. You stop making excuses

What happens when you meet your soulmate is that you don’t make excuses. Instead, you will step up and take responsibility. By owning your mistakes or bad behavior, you will make efforts to repair the relationship.

The love of a soul mate allows you to have compassion for yourself. You will allow yourself to be vulnerable and accept the limitations of being human.

Making excuses and blaming others for your mistakes creates conflict and disconnection. This feels so wrong in your body and soul that you put your ego aside and do what you can to reconnect. Your soul mate won’t demand you to be perfect, but he will inspire you to take responsibility rather than blame.

9. You’re on the same team

With your soulmate by your side, you’ll know you always have an ally. You may not agree with everything. You won’t share the same hobbies or taste in music.

But you will share the important things. You will do it both value the same thingshave similar life goals and share a vision of what you desire together.

You and your soul mate may have different strategies for achieving your shared goals, but you will respect each other’s differences and consider each other’s strengths. With your soulmate, you will experience the power of being in a team for life.

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10. Your trip will finally make sense

Finally, love makes sense. The setbacks and heartaches you experienced along the way suddenly appear as the learning experiences you needed to be open to receiving your loved one.

You will release anger and resentment from your past experiences, allowing you to be more forgiving of yourself and others. You will stop judging yourself harshly about the missteps you have made in the past.

A sense of inner peace comes over you when you are with your soul mate. From this new perspective, the world will seem like a different place, one that is filled with grace.

11. You will have roots and wings

What happens when you meet your soul mate is that you will feel grounded to Mother Earth and at the same time inspired to fly. Your soulmate will give you the feeling of having roots and wings.

You will feel grounded and supported in sharing your life with the person who gets you and who accepts you as you are. Your wings come from experiencing the love that makes your heart soar!

Your soul mate will give you the security of knowing you are loved along with the freedom to grow and become who you want to be.

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Orna and Matthew Walters are dating coaches and founders of Create love with intention with a holistic approach to turning hidden blocks into love, and the authors of Get it right this time.