Okay, so I think the key difference between them, just thinking about you vs actually missing you, comes down to emotional quality. What you’re picking up can feel a little different.
When they’re missing you specifically, you get hit with these sudden waves of emotion that don’t match your situation at all. Like you’ll be fine doing something random - grocery shopping, watching TV - and then this deep sadness or longing washes over you out of nowhere. The feelings have nothing to do with what’s happening in your own life. Physical sensations are a big one too. Warmth in your chest, tingling in your hands, heart palpitations when you’re just sitting there doing nothing.
Like a magnetic pull in a specific direction or telepathic touch.
These tend to be way more intense when they’re actively missing you versus just having a passing thought.
And dreams. But not just any dreams about them - when they’re really missing you, the dreams feel more like actual visits. Like you’re meeting on a spiritual plane rather than just your brain processing stuff. You wake up feeling like you actually spent time together. Some people feel peaceful after, some feel emotional.
And on the flip side of that sleepless nights too… when you normally sleep fine but suddenly can’t, and there’s no reason for it in your own life? Could be picking up on them having a rough night.