The myth or actuality of the invisible string

We’ve all heard the love story that restored our faith in soulmates. The one that  encourages hope about that one special, singular person waiting for you while the universe does everything in its power to bring the two of you together. In my experiences in love, friendship, and fate, the invisible string is an unbreakable bond between people that links them together—platonically or romantically—despite all odds. As human beings, we are constantly on the lookout for a mate: someone we can share our meals and music with, who understands our niche behaviours, and who loves our quirks unconditionally. Is there only one person capable of filling this role in our lives? The invisible string theory claims so, and it argues that sometimes we have to try different people in order to ultimately know who fits us best. 

 However, when hearing clichés like ‘right person, wrong time,’ it’s hard to decipher what is real and what we are simply too stubborn to come to terms with—especially if we really like someone. If our feelings for someone are not reciprocated, when do we know it’s time to move on? After coaching many friends through different relationship troubles, I have discovered that sometimes you can just tell when a situation has run its course. Believing that everyone comes into your life for a reason, especially romantic partners, can help us understand why certain things may not work out. Perhaps previous experiences are preparing you to accept the perfect love that is already being laid out for you. Your present heartaches are catalytic forces in bringing you to your person. 

Humans are impatient and nosy creatures. They always need to know what comes next for the sake of their peace of mind. This is what is so maddening about love: you don’t have any control over it. Both being in love and being heartbroken are out-of-body experiences that relate to the same human being, but are on opposite ends of one spectrum—making the whole concept of love feel out of our hands and in the control of something greater. The invisible string and its pull force us to rely on its cleverness in getting us where we need to be. It will give us signs when someone or something is not right, forcing the rejection of it, whether what we feel is necessary or not. After witnessing this phenomenon firsthand and discussing, debriefing, and then unpacking it once more, usually with friends over a cup of coffee (which often gets cold, as we could debate over this for hours), one thing has always remained strikingly clear: the invisible string is quite true to its name—it is invisible. We cannot know where it will take us. It gets us all tangled together in one big web that we must make sense of, having to go through different people and phases to find our other end. What is meant for you will certainly find you, and no amount of pulling, prodding, forcing, resisting, or running can limit or accelerate the process. Let all of the epic sonnets and stories we know about love remind us of the faith and courage one must have to trust oneself and the instincts we’ve been given, to find love—and let it lead you there. Sit in the discomfort of heartbreak, in the vulnerability of love, and the intimacy of belief, as that is when the true magic of the invisible string, and your growth, can begin.