Fast-forward to the 20th century and you have the likes of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung concluding that, actually, dreams provide insight into the inner workings of our minds. While our conscious mind switches off as we catch some zzzs, our unconscious mind reveals images that can offer insight into issues we might be blissfully unaware of in waking life.
Today, however, psychotherapist Matthew Bowes says: “Contemporary science about the psychology of dreams is somewhat split. There are those that believe dreams have no meaning and at the furthest extreme are simply random brain detritus. While at the other end of the spectrum [is the belief] that dreams are an essential part of maintaining our emotional, physical and mental wellbeing, by allowing the brain to process trauma, gain self-awareness and find the answers to your waking life dilemmas.”
Whether scientifically proven or not, some extra insight into how to be your best self and navigate the many obstacles that life can throw your way doesn’t sound half bad. Yet while having a dream is one thing, understanding its hidden messages is quite another.
We asked Bowes to give us (and you) a helping hand and analyse some of team R29’s most common recurring dreams. Here’s what he said…
If you’ve been avoiding certain issues by sticking your head in the sand or you’re going through a situation that frightens you on some level, dreaming that you’re being chased is pretty common, says Bowes.
“The degree to which you are being chased gives a clear indication of the degree to which you are avoiding an issue that needs to be addressed. Perhaps you’ve been risk-avoidant, or you’ve held back on confronting something which is uncomfortable or frightening,” he adds.
This recurring dream is an invitation from your subconscious to face up to reality so you can move forward. Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
“A dream about being fired often implies that you’re feeling a lack of control in your life, and it could have absolutely nothing to do with work. Instead it could represent the balance of power in a significant relationship, and a deep-rooted fear that the relationship will come to an end,” says Bowes.
If you’re experiencing this dream regularly and you’re not suffering from imposter syndrome in the workplace, it might be time to analyse said relationship and redress the balance. Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
Being overwhelmed by teeny tiny monsters like spiders and worms “may indicate that little irritations or worries are creeping up on you,” explains Bowes.
When you start dreaming about bugs, it’s a clear sign that you’ve reached a point where decisive action needs to be taken if you don’t want to feel as frightened as you do in your dream.Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
“Acquiring the power of flight in a dream can mirror how you’re currently feeling in waking life – liberated, with the sense that anything is possible,” explains Bowes.
If that’s how you’re generally feeling, what better time to capitalise on your optimism and try something you’ve wanted to master, be it a new hobby or business venture.
Be warned, though; according to Bowes, flying can also indicate that you’re not being grounded about a situation. There’s a difference between optimism and delusion – so it might be time for some reflection.Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
Dreaming of a crash could be due to an unrealised anxiety that a new venture is doomed to fail. How this is resolved in the dream could be used as a teaching opportunity to guide you in real life.
For example: “If you dream that you’re able to take control of the aircraft but it is now flying nearer the ground, it might indicate that you have the capacity within you to see it through but in a more ‘grounded’ and less grandiose manner,” explains Bowes.Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
Just turned a year older, or been focusing on your age of late? “Your teeth falling out is a common dream associated with ageing and the perception that strength, vitality and power have been lost,” says Bowes.
Now is the time to remind yourself that like a fine wine, we all get better with age. Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
It’s years since you left school, meaning this dream is not rooted in reality. However, when not taken literally, “it can indicate anxiousness and a tendency to put yourself under unnecessary pressure,” says Bowes.
When you’re constantly worrying about your performance at work, or regularly feel like you’re not good enough, this manifests itself in your dreams as a fail grade. If you’re dreaming about this often, it’s time to work on your underlying fear of failure by addressing your lack of self-confidence. Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
“While there are many factors that contribute to the interpretation of this dream, generally being in an out-of-control vehicle conveys a feeling of being off track and exhibiting a lack of control in waking life,” says Bowes.
Perhaps you’re doing something to excess – shopping, drinking, working out – so dreaming that you can’t control the vehicle you’re in suggests you are being ‘driven’ by your current ‘addiction’. If you are worried that you can’t get a handle on your behaviour, seek professional advice to get back on track.Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
“Being late for something may indicate that you’re running out of time to achieve a goal,” says Bowes. If that’s the case, take stock and ask yourself if the timelines for your life goals have been imposed by you, or have been heavily influenced by societal expectations.
If it’s the latter, remind yourself that you’re on your own journey and there doesn’t need to be a hard and fast deadline for all your life goals. Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
It may feel like you’re going backwards when you keep dreaming about an ex but “in actual fact it suggests there may be a similar pattern that’s arising in a current relationship that you need to nip in the bud,” explains Bowes.
The more you are reminded of what happened with your ex, the better your sense of clarity regarding what went wrong. Use this to confront your shortcomings and address what needs attention in your current relationship.
If you are worried, frightened or stressed out about your dreams, seek professional advice from a counsellor or therapist. Illustrated by Naomi Blundell Meyer
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