Many people think that dreams can help a person understand the things that happen in everyday life. Interpreting dreams is one of the tips for receiving messages from the subconscious mind. For that, start recording your dreams in a journal and then analyze everything that appears in your dreams to determine their meaning so you can interpret your dreams.
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Part 1 of 4: Recording Dreams
Step 1. Place the dream journal by the bed
Even if you don't seem to be dreaming, you always dream when you sleep at night. It's easier for you to remember dreams if you take notes. In addition to books, also prepare a pen or pencil to remind you to take notes immediately when you are awake.
- Don't forget to take a dream journal with you when you travel.
- Get in the habit of writing down the date before you start taking notes. If needed, provide a few blank lines after recording the dream to write down its meaning.
Step 2. Every time you wake up, keep your eyes closed while trying to remember as many dreams as possible and then write them down
Form a routine by recording your dreams every morning while you're still in bed. You can remember dreams correctly when you wake up in the morning. If you wait a few minutes, the memory of the dream will disappear little by little.
- Don't go to the restroom before taking notes because dreams can be forgotten when you get back to bed!
- Interpretation results will be more meaningful if you are able to remember dreams in detail.
Step 3. Write down everything you can remember
Record as many events as you can or things that appear in your dream, for example what you did, who was with you, what you felt and saw because anything in a dream can symbolize something. You can also take notes by drawing! Things to note:
- The emotions you feel while dreaming
- People in dreams
- Animal
- Location and atmosphere
- Visible color
- Vehicle used if any
- Travel if any
- Storyline if any
Step 4. Don't make up if the dream doesn't have a storyline
Incidents that are not logical when dreaming is a natural thing. However, the conscious mind will make up stories based on dreams. Don't be provoked! Write down as many things as you can remember, even if you only feel emotions and see images while dreaming. This will help you get a better interpretation than if you were to make up a story based on a dream.
- If you start making up stories while recording your dreams, focus only on the emotions you feel, the things you see, and use adjectives to describe the situation you're in.
- For example, you dream of being chased by wolves when you are lost in the forest. In addition to noting what you are experiencing and feeling, draw some trees to express the atmosphere of the forest and write down some words, such as "lost", "chased", and "wolf".
Step 5. Do not interpret dreams while taking notes
The first step, you just need to record what happened in the dream without interpreting it because it can affect the notes that are being made. In addition, you can change or ignore the details that happened in the dream. You can interpret the dream after you finish taking notes.
Step 6. Title each dream
This step challenges you to determine a particular theme or thing that impresses you the most, but don't give it a meaningful title. Write down the title that comes to mind first so you can tell exactly what you really felt when you dreamed.
For example, when recording a dream of an incident in the forest, you might title it, "Chased by wolves", "The Forest Terrible", or "Saving Yourself"
Part 2 of 4: Analyzing Dreams
Step 1. Record detailed things that happened in the dream
The best way to remember dreams in detail is to ask yourself questions. Questions should be adapted to the dream because you need to reveal the meaning and relationships between things in the dream. To do so, ask the following questions:
- Is it in my dream that I'm alone?
- Who's there? Did I see anyone else?
- What I feel?
- What is the meaning of the atmosphere I experience when dreaming?
- What's the atmosphere like there?
- What does the image that appears in a dream mean?
- What do my actions mean in a dream?
- When was the last time I had an incident in a dream while going about my daily life?
Step 2. Express the emotions you feel
The emotions that arise when dreaming can express the emotions you feel in real life, but the atmosphere may be different. At first glance, dreams may seem unrelated to real life, but you can gain direction by focusing on the emotions that arise during your dream.
- For example, ask yourself, "How do I feel after dreaming?" and "Have I been feeling the same emotions lately?"
- Another example, being afraid or being trapped in a dream because of being chased by wolves in the forest could mean that you feel helpless in dealing with dire situations in real life.
Step 3. Observe the mood in the dream
In addition to the events in the dream, the atmosphere is equally important. For example, the forest atmosphere can feel cool and calm, it can also be dark and eerie. In addition, also consider your connection with the location in the dream.
- Answer the following questions: Do you feel afraid to be in certain locations? Does the location trigger stress in real life? Do you feel comfortable being in the location in your dream? Did something bad happen at that location? Is the situation in the dream the same as when you are having a pleasant moment in real life?
- For example, the atmosphere of the beach can carry different meanings for different people according to their respective associations. Beaches reveal a pleasant atmosphere for people who like to vacation at the beach, but the beach feels very scary for people who almost drowned.
Step 4. Reflect on the character or animal in the dream
Consider your relationship with the person or animal and what it means to you. Also observe how you feel about the person or animal. Did you fight in a dream? Is he trying to help you? Did you only see it in the distance? Take these things into account when analyzing dreams.
- Did you just fight with him? Events that appear in dreams may have something to do with a recent fight.
- Another question, does it represent anything to you? For example, a favorite teacher who appears in a dream is triggered by a desire to learn from the subconscious mind.
- People in dreams usually convey messages about themselves, rather than about the person. For example, the presence of a younger sibling who is studying in a dream while dreaming may express your desire to continue studying and continue studying, not about your younger sibling's wishes.
- If you are afraid of dogs, dreams of meeting dogs sometimes express a threat. On the other hand, the same dream can mean a sense of security if you keep a dog in real life.
Step 5. Choose the image or symbol in the dream
You are free to choose the things that appear when you dream and then think about what they mean to you. What do you feel and think when you see that image or symbol? What are the benefits in everyday life? Find the meaning of the image or symbol by reflecting.
- If you are looking at several images or symbols, choose the one that feels most meaningful.
- If certain images or symbols appear over and over again, make the most of this by finding out their meanings so you can interpret your dreams more quickly. For example, you often dream of seeing birds flying in the sky when you are in a good mood, but when you are feeling depressed, you dream of seeing birds locked up in cages.
Step 6. Observe recurring themes while dreaming
A recurring theme can mean a thought, emotion, or symbol that appears over and over again in a dream and look for connections between that theme and your daily life. Sometimes you can find a connection between dreams and real life, but dreams are sometimes metaphors that need further reflection.
- For example, you often dream of losing things or not remembering where to put things you just held. This feeling may have something to do with a situation where you lost a very important piece of equipment for work or study.
- Another example, while dreaming, you feel constantly being chased and threatened. This can be interpreted as a lack of confidence when you are at work or at school.
Step 7. Use a dream dictionary if you don't know what it means
Dream dictionaries are often used to analyze dreams, but many experts think that dream dictionaries are less useful because the same symbol can carry different messages. The best way to interpret dreams is to focus on how you feel when you dream and what the objects in the dream mean. You can use a dream dictionary to broaden your horizons and look for other interpretations.
- Dream dictionaries are available in print or electronic books.
- For example, you see a key while dreaming several times. Use the dream dictionary to find out the message conveyed through the key symbols.
Part 3 of 4: Understanding Figurative Meanings that Often Appear through Dreams
Step 1. Try to remember something that ended if you dreamed about death
Although frightening, death in dreams is usually unrelated to death in real life. If you dream about death, think about an event that you have experienced. Dreams about death can mean the end of something and it's time to start a new one.
For example, you just graduated from college. Even though the education period ends, this is the first step to start a new phase of life
Step 2. Determine the meaning of the dream through the vehicle you were riding in a dream
If you use a vehicle while dreaming, it is often associated with your purpose in life, how much control you have over your daily life, and the obstacles you face. If you're the one driving the car, this could mean you're in control. If someone else is at the helm, you may not be in control.
For example, a car breaking down could mean that you are losing motivation in real life
Step 3. Connect the dream of flying with the ability to take control of your life
Determine how you feel when you fly in a dream. If you are flying high and it feels good, it could mean that you are free from the burdens of real life or are in control of your life. On the other hand, flying low while scared could mean you're under pressure or you're not in control.
Step 4. Observe how you feel when you dream of falling
Falling in a dream has many meanings, for example the inability to control oneself. Another meaning, you have to forget something or have forgotten it. Observe the emotions you feel when you fall to determine what they mean.
- If you're feeling calm, you may be letting go of something that's weighing you down.
- If you feel afraid, you may feel helpless in your daily life.
Step 5. Think of something to avoid if you feel like you're being chased
Often times, dreaming of being chased means that there is something that you need or have to face in real life. In a dream, it seems like you want to "run away" from a problem, but your subconscious mind is sending you a message that you should find a solution immediately.
For example, maybe you haven't completed an assignment yet and so have to work harder to meet the deadline
Step 6. Find out why you dream of being lost
Maybe you are feeling anxious and frustrated in your daily life if you dream of getting lost or looking for something you are missing. It is possible that you feel helpless when you face problems in real life.
For example, you have not yet been hired, but do not have the required qualifications or experience
Step 7. Imagine your performance when you didn't study before taking the exam
The dream of doing exam questions without good preparation usually triggers stress. This could mean that your living conditions need improvement or that there is still something you need to understand in order to develop yourself.
Step 8. Know that being naked in a dream is a symbol of vulnerability
This dream expresses the desire to open up to others so that you experience vulnerability. If you feel uncomfortable while dreaming, there may be something you want to hide or you feel rejected. Confidence enables you to accept vulnerability.
Step 9. Don't panic if you dream of missing teeth
This dream usually reveals that you are feeling anxious, inferior, or hopeless. For example, you have to take on new responsibilities, but are not ready. Dreaming of missing teeth is a symbol that represents what you or others feel as a reaction to this problem.
For example, in a dream, you meet your mother, but she doesn't care if you lose your teeth and doesn't think about how you feel when you have a problem. This can convey a message from your subconscious that it believes you are capable of taking on new responsibilities
Part 4 of 4: Determining the Meaning of Dreams
Step 1. Remember that dreams are not predictions of future life
Many people think that dreams are clues that foreshadow future conditions, but experts disagree. Dreams are stories that you make up yourself in your sleep. Sometimes, dreams can help you deal with problems or control your emotions as you go about your daily life.
If you are afraid because you have a bad dream, don't worry about it coming true. Instead, focus on how you feel. Feelings that arise when dreaming can be triggered by problems in everyday life
Step 2. Combine all the aspects that appear in the dream
After analyzing each aspect separately, it is time to put them all together so that you are able to interpret dreams in depth.
- What is the relationship between the situation you are in and the characters and symbols that appear in your dreams?
- How do certain aspects affect other aspects?
- After merging, what does the dream mean to you?
Step 3. Think about the relationship between dreams and everyday life
Sometimes dreams convey very clear messages that are easy to interpret because when you dream, you meet someone or experience situations that occur in everyday life. However, dreams can be a metaphor for something you experience in your daily life. Use dream analysis to determine the relationship between dreams and real life.
- You can determine the meaning of dreams easily if you dream about events that just happened yesterday. For example, you had an argument with your partner before going to bed at night and dreamed that you had a fight with him. You had a dream like this because you just had a fight.
- Another example, while dreaming, you are unable to save yourself from a burning house. This dream may be a metaphor for the events you are currently experiencing.
Step 4. Listen to your intuition
Only you understand yourself the most! So, you are the most appropriate person to interpret your dream. Accept the meaning of dreams if you think that your dreams are meaningful.
Step 5. Interpret dreams about love and sex
The dream has nothing to do with love and sex in real life. Oftentimes, love and sex in dreams are symbols of a close relationship with someone in everyday life. Maybe you have an affinity for a person who appears in a dream or represents something you really want.
For example, you dream of having sex with someone you know. Ask yourself what you like about this person, he may be humorous and gregarious. This dream can mean that you want to develop that personality
Step 6. Watch for the same dream or repeating pattern
If you have the same dream over and over again, your subconscious mind may want to convey a message to you. Maybe you are facing a problem in real life. Pay close attention to either the same dream or a repeating pattern.
- Pay attention to when you dream, how often, and what triggers it.
- Perform dream analysis as usual, but focus on the meaning of dreams for everyday life.
- If dreams keep you from sleeping, consult a mental health professional to resolve them.
Step 7. Ask a therapist for help if dreams make you uncomfortable
Sometimes, dreams have a negative impact on daily life, for example because of terrible nightmares. Even though dreams are just fantasies that won't happen, the things that appear in dreams are very scary. Professional therapists can help you deal with problems caused by nightmares.
Tips
- Trust your intuition! If something seems important, it probably is. Don't let logic make you ignore intuition.
- Sometimes, dreams do not carry meaningful messages, such as dreams about recent events.
- Practice is an important aspect when honing the ability to interpret dreams. The more you practice, the better your skills will be.
- Use dream meanings to express feelings about your life and solve problems, but don't use dreams to predict the future.
- Although useful, dream dictionaries are not always accurate.
