You can end up with either your soul mate or your twin flame; it can go either way and will depend on your personal circumstances and relationship. "Usually with twin flames, once the lesson is learned, you have accomplished the goal of the relationship," Spinelli says. But if the timing is right and each person has done the work on themselves, she adds, it's not impossible for twin flames to end up together.

Kaiser also adds that not everyone has a twin flame, and you are not incomplete without them if you don't. "This is just one path of many to bring you into spiritual awareness and ultimate alignment," she says. Plus, she adds, soul mate connections aren't always romantic. When they are, though, there may be a greater likelihood of long-term success for soul mates compared to twin flames.

Going by definition, no, soul mates cannot be twin flames and vice versa. "Soul mates are different souls that we encounter on our path, often sent to help awaken and challenge us so we can become a better version of ourselves," Kaiser says, "whereas a twin flame is the same soul split into two bodies."

"Twin flames cause personal awakenings but may not be your soul mate," Spinelli adds.

Both soul mates and twin flames can often be considered karmic relationships, as they both involve growth and healing, Spinelli explains. "The karmic relationship is like a teacher or guide, but they are temporary," she says. "A twin flame relationship and a karmic relationship are similar in working through life lessons."

"They come together for divine purpose and balancing out karma," Kaiser adds. "Soul mates come together for life lessons and experiences." In either case, these are people you made a soul agreement with before entering this life.

There's really no right or wrong answer here, and it greatly depends on who you ask. According to Kaiser, it all comes down to someone's own inner growth. While soul mate relationships are often less intense, twin flame relationships can be extremely chaotic.

"Twin flame relationships can be much deeper and more profound than a soul mate partnership because they lead to wholeness," Kaiser says—but that's if both people have done their soul's work.

"A soul mate can be a friend, romantic partner, or family member. Twin flame relationships can be more intense and often come together to work through life lessons or achieve something greater," Spinelli adds. "Neither is better than the other, just different."

So, whether they're your soul mate or twin flame, the core idea is that people come into our lives for a reason, whether temporarily or for life. Everyone has something to teach or offer us, as we do for them. And when we continuously focus on our own personal growth, we can show up better for the people in our lives, whether they be a twin flame or soul mate.