Water is one of the images that appear repeatedly in dreams. If you want to know the meaning of a dream showing water, there are many ways to interpret it. Keep a detailed record of all the dreams that stop in your sleep, reflect on your life, and then think about the meaning of the dream. Remember, dreams are very personal. There is no universal interpretation of dreams.
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Part 1 of 3: Recording Dreams
Step 1. Keep a dream journal
To interpret dreams, you must have a notebook that records your dreams. Dreams fade from memory quickly. You can remember important details of dreams if you diligently jot them down every morning.
- Keep a notebook and pencil on the nightstand or a small bedside table so you can reach your dream journal as soon as the morning comes. People tend to forget the details of their dreams when they wake up.
- Record the details of the dream as much as possible. Don't just focus on the water, but also other aspects around it. What happened in your dream? Who was with you at that time? What was the location like in your dream? How long did the dream last?
Step 2. Pay attention to the thoughts that bother you every day
Oftentimes, dreams convey an important understanding of feelings that you are either consciously or unconsciously suppressing. What thoughts repeat themselves every day? Why do you think so much about it? If you are busy thinking about work and career, your dream may be related to both. If you are immersed in a romantic relationship, your dream may want to convey something about the relationship.
Step 3. Write down your feelings during the dream
The feelings that surround you during your dream are just as important as the details to remember. How do you feel during your dream? Are you happy, sad, excited, or depressed? Do your feelings stay the same throughout the dream or do they fluctuate?
Step 4. Dig up all the elements that appear in the dream
When contemplating a dream, dive into and dig deeper into all the images you see. Pay attention to the feelings that arise when these images appear, as well as the meaning you get from them.
For example, you dream of sitting on a sofa floating in the middle of a clear lake. Did you recognize the lake in the dream? Does the dream indicate a certain lake or just a puddle? What color is the sofa? Does the color have a special meaning for you? Have you seen that sofa somewhere or is it just an ordinary piece of furniture?
Part 2 of 3: Interpreting Dreams
Step 1. Learn the theory about water in dreams
Water is one of the images commonly found in dreams. When thinking about the meaning of dreams involving water, study various theories about what water means in dreams.
- From a cultural point of view, water is often associated with purification and transformation. From bathing to baptism, water is seen as a cleansing element. Often people dream of water when facing major changes in life.
- Different types of water signify different things. For example, floods are associated with disasters and losses. Sometimes people dream of a flood when they are feeling overwhelmed. Then, dirty and cloudy water indicates fear and confusion because such water implies bad premonitions or ignorance.
Step 2. Think about how you feel when you see water
Despite the fact that water can be associated with many things, most psychiatrists and psychologists agree that your relationship to a symbol is far more important than its universal meaning. So, what does water mean to you personally?
- How do you feel about water? Are you a swimmer or love the beach? Or are you afraid of water? Do you know how to swim? Have you had a bad experience with water?
- Do you recognize the shape of the water? Is the water in the form of a particular lake or ocean? Do you have a special connection to this form of water? Is the relationship positive or negative?
Step 3. Be the expert
Do not rely too much on the opinions of others when interpreting dreams. Only you can judge your own feelings. In addition, your relationship is also the most important consideration when it comes to interpreting dreams. You can also discuss it with friends or family if you feel confused. But remember, in the end it's your opinion that matters.
Step 4. Combine all these factors
After thinking about the various factors in the dream, please combine them. What do you think the dream means based on your own thoughts and feelings, including the nature of the dream?
- Let's revisit the example of a sofa that floats on the surface of the water. In this example, imagine that you are a married woman, in her early 30s and trying to get pregnant. You have anxiety about raising children because you currently live in a different city from your parents. In fact, you hope they can take part in raising the baby. In a dream, water manifests in the form of Lake Toba. You grew up on Samosir Island and had many experiences playing in Lake Toba as a child. In a dream you are often accompanied by a younger brother and mother. The sofa you see is the same as the floral patterned sofa you used to have as a child. Throughout the dream, you feel more happy, but a little anxious when you see the shores of the lake.
- As is often the case with dreams involving water, the dream above can be seen as your response when you have to go through a difficult transition. Even though you're excited about your new role as a mother, you're still holding on to a bit of a wedge. Uncertainty, which dreams describe as the absence of a clear lake shore, reflects the pressure you feel in starting a family. Maybe you miss your hometown because dreams bring images of your childhood. Your dream seems to convey the message that you need to work on overcoming your fears of being a mother and finding ways to be closer to your family.
Part 3 of 3: Acknowledging Limitations
Step 1. Understand that even scientists have limited knowledge of dreams
The interpretation of dreams has been done a lot, but still scientists' knowledge about dreams and their biological purpose is very limited. Most of Freud's theories are unreliable and much of the research into dream interpretation has yet to be verified. Interpreting recurring dreams is fun, but always remember not to take things too seriously.
Step 2. Stay away from dream dictionaries
A dream dictionary is not the best tool for interpreting dreams. Although some symbols have the same meaning in some cultures, most of the images that appear in dreams have very personal meanings. Instead of using a dream dictionary, it's better to dig into your thoughts and desires while contemplating the meaning of a dream.
Step 3. See a therapist to discuss recurring and disturbing dreams
If you often have disturbing dreams, this could be a sign of a hidden psychological condition. You should talk to a psychiatrist or therapist if certain dreams are interfering with your ability to carry out your day-to-day activities.
Related article
- How to Interpret Your Dreams
- How to Remember Dreams
- How to Control Dreams
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