Is There Any Truth to the Invisible String Theory?

Some people believe love is written in the stars. Others believe they’re tied to their one and only by an invisible thread.

That’s the idea behind the “Invisible String Theory,” a fate-fueled concept that went viral via TikTok—and Taylor Swift. It suggests that certain people are meant to be in our lives, and that no matter the time, place, or circumstance, they’ll eventually find their way to us. Basically, soulmates, but with ancient roots and a modern algorithmic twist.

“The theory is that an invisible string connects people destined to meet, regardless of geography, time, or circumstances,” licensed therapist Jaime Bronstein, author of MANifesting, told PEOPLE. “Essentially, you and your soulmate are connected, and nothing can stop that connection from eventually tightening.”

Though the phrase is trending now, the idea isn’t new. In Chinese mythology, the “Red Thread of Fate” connects those destined to meet, tying them together with a symbolic red cord. The invisible string theory borrows heavily from that, blending spiritual beliefs, myth, and modern psychology to explain romantic timing, missed connections, and serendipitous reunions.

And TikTok has no shortage of examples. One woman realized her fiancé appeared in the background of a video she filmed months before they met. Another said her boyfriend once crashed her Quinceañera—three years before they actually spoke. Stories like these fuel the theory’s popularity, offering comforting proof that maybe, just maybe, the universe has a plan.

Bronstein says believing in the theory can be helpful, especially for those navigating the dating world. “It can help people let go of fear and anxiety about finding someone,” she explains. “It helps people show up more authentically.”

But like any romantic idea, it comes with caveats.

It’s easy to mistake a random coincidence for divine intervention. Or worse, to stay tethered to someone toxic just because you met in a way that felt poetic. Belief in destiny can make people overlook incompatibility, red flags, or the very real work relationships require.

The truth? Not every invisible string is meant to stay tight forever. Sometimes, it’s just a moment. A lesson. A chapter, not the whole book.

Still, the theory persists—for good reason. It’s whimsical, nostalgic, and deeply human. We all want to believe there’s meaning in the madness. That some connections are bigger than logic. Even if they’re just invisible.

And in a world full of swipe fatigue and shady dating apps, that string might be the one thing pulling people toward a little hope.