Have you ever thought of someone just before they called, or seen the same number again and again? These meaningful coincidences are what the thinker Carl Jung called “synchronicity”.

Jung’s idea

Jung described synchronicity as a meaningful coincidence with no obvious cause. He told of a patient who was describing a dream about a golden scarab, when a scarab-like beetle tapped at his window.

Meaning without proof

Synchronicity isn’t proof of fate or hidden forces. Our minds are very good at noticing patterns, and some coincidences are simply chance.

Why it can still matter

Even so, a coincidence can feel meaningful, prompting you to reflect, make a decision or reconnect with someone.

A clock is still a clock

Seeing the same time on the clock again and again doesn’t have to carry a message. You’re free to enjoy it, or simply move on.

Noticing without pressure

You don’t have to interpret every coincidence. Simply noticing them can bring a sense of wonder.

How little is enough

Write down one coincidence you’ve noticed recently and what, if anything, it meant to you.

For more, read Synchronicity: finding meaning in coincidences.

When you’re ready to go a little deeper, the Guides page has a guided journal for walking through change at your own pace.