Why Dreams Unlock Your Hidden Self

Have you ever woken up from a dream that sticks with you through the day? A fall that shook you awake, a conversation with someone you are sure you know from somewhere, a door that you couldn't open but had to know what was behind it? These dreams aren't just figures of your imagination, but rather pointers to parts of yourself you don't always see during your busy day. From fears that held you back to hidden strengths that deep down you wish for, these dreams are an insight into your deeper self.

In this post, I will show you a simple 3 step way to understand these dreams better and how best to use this new found knowledge.

Why Dreams Matter?

It's easy to assume that not much happens while we sleep, however, this cannot be further from the truth. Carl Jung, the swiss psychiatrist who founded analytical psychology, called dreams the "royal road to the unconscious." His work on symbols and the psyche influences dream study to this day.

During REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement sleep), your brain processes emotions and memories through symbols. Jung saw this as revealing the shadows, or the parts of ourself we push aside. For example, a dream where you're being chaed often means avoidance while flying might signal a need for freedom. If tracked over time, you may notice patterns appearing. These patterns highlight what in our life requires attention, and people who study their dreams, and act on them, often say they experience clearer thinking, heightened self-focus, and fall into fewer ruts.

Step 1: Write Them Down Right Away

Details of dreams dissapear within minutes of waking up. Keeping a notebook by your bed is a great way of keeping track of what your dreams are trying to tell you, however, knowing what to write down can be daunting. Focus on the main aspects of the dream, and don't spend too long on one detail. Not only will this affect the detail of other parts of the dream, you may begin to question what you've written down in the first place.

I suggest focusing on these 4 areas:

1. The Setting
2. The People and/or Figures
3. The Main Feeling
4. The Key Images and/or Objects

If you find yourself stuck on one and thinking too long, move onto the next. You can always return to the previous point if something comes back to you while writing about a different aspect of the dream.

Step 2: Look for Connections

Now that you have a good basis of what your dream was about, over time you should begin to find patterns and certain themes appearing. This is where you can begin to refer to your everyday life and find links.

Here are 3 things I look for when analysing these links:

1. What does this match with in my life?
2. Where do I feel that emotion when awake?
3. What part of me acts this out?

When you've found certain recurring patterns or links in your dreams, it is important to do your research on what these may mean. Simple themes can mean a wide variety of things, so it will take practice and self-discovery to understand how these may be affecting you.

Here are some common links I've discovered:

• Shadows: Ignored traits like doubt or anger.
• Falling/Collapse: Warning of Imbalance, such as burnout.
• Open Skies: Hints at growth and possibilities.

Let your research and notes map out your dreams. Keeping it simple will make the process quick, organic, and reactive. A good example of how I do this is by learning what an aspect of a recurring dream means, then quickly writing "Closed Doors = Chances I avoid" when I encounter it.

These quick notes are an easy thing to refer back to and find patterns.

Step 3: Make One Change

Now that you've identified the link between your dreams and everyday life, it's time to act. Begin by making 1 small change in your routine and see how it affects your sleep moving forward.

How should I know what to change? Here's what worked for me:

1. Name the core message.
2. Pick a small change.
3. Do it TODAY.

I know these steps seem simple but that's because overthinking this process doesn't create results, acting on them does. Find the message, make the small change, and act on it today to allow the ripple to take place back into your subconscious.

Using the closed doors example I mentioned in the previous segment, your tracking could look something like this:

Monday:

• DREAM PART: Locked Doors
• REAL MEANING: Avoided Chances
• ACTION: Asked for an opportunity at work
• OUTCOME: Got it

then later in the week you can have dreams that either reinforce your action, or move onto another part of your life that needs attention. For example:

Wednesday:

• DREAM PART: Dark House
• REAL MEANING: Feeling Stuck
• ACTION: Cleared one task that I've been putting off
• OUTCOME: More space and time to relax

If you build on this practice, review your notes on a weekly basis (I do this every Sunday), and analyse how these patterns form and change, you will build strong momentum and a deeper understanding of your subconscious psyche.

You will learn how to communicate with your inner self.

What You Will Gain from This

This practice is like learning a new language. It will help you understand yourself on a deeper level while finding issues to resolve you never knew existed. Anxiety begins to fade. Your decision making sharpens. Passing dreams turn from puzzles into guides, helping you live a better life while awake.

Remember, this is not a spring but a marathon. It's a practice that takes time, patience, and deep focus. Start small, stay consistent, and slowly the hidden will become clearer.

What's the next step? Grab your notebook and pen tonight, lay it next to your bed, and get ready. This post could be the catalyst that begins your journey.

What's one image from your last dream that you remember? Share it in the comments!

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