What Dreams Are Made Of
Dreams are truly fascinating things. A study on why we are sometimes juggling circus performers or flying through the air while we sleep could take years. There are many theories on why we dream and what dreams mean (or if they mean anything at all). But here’s a good, quick summary of popular belief from Psychology Today:
Freud, of course, used dream interpretation as the basis for his psychoanalytic approach to therapy. He proposed that dreams represent the intrusion into our slumber of ugly unwanted desires or what is known in common speech as “wish fulfillment.”
Although modern dream theory gives some credence to Freud’s proposals, most scientists would argue now that dreams are due to the arousal of particular brain patterns. The sensory parts of our brain play and replay fragmentary memories of our daily experiences. Our higher-level brain centers weave those pits and pieces together in a story-like fashion, according to this theory.
While your dreams may not be prophetic, it is very possible that your dreams can give you insight into your psyche and make you more aware of your subconscious. Whether you give credence to your dreams or not is up to you, but it could, at the very least, be eye-opening to dig a bit deeper when it comes to your dreams.
What Do Money Dreams Mean?
There seems to be a general consensus among the articles that I’ve read that money itself represents self-worth, value or the exchange of value when it is featured in a dream. What does that mean? In short, a dream about money could potentially have nothing to do with money.
And on the other hand, there are dreams that you could have that seem to have nothing to do with money and yet have everything to do with your attitude and feelings toward your financial situation.
Losing a Credit Card, Money, Wallet or Purse (and realizing it when it’s too late)
This dream is truly a nightmare. I’ve woken up many times According to dream expert Lauri Quinn Loewnberg, author or “Dream On It,” dreaming of losing money could indicate a loss in credibility:
“You may have recently slipped up or got caught in a money lie,”says Loewenberg. Does “yes, mortgage company, the check IS in the mail” sound familiar? “This dream may be telling you that you’ve lost credibility with someone around you and you had better check yourself, hence the checkout,”says Loewenberg.
This kind of dream should be your cue to evaluate your financial situation. Where have you slipped up and how can you become more credible/stable?
Losing money in your sleep can also suggest that you are lacking self-esteem, ambition or power. Your stress-levels are probably through the roof and you feel weak and/or out of control in your life. Take this dream as your cue to make some changes for the better.
Winning the Lottery
Unfortunately, a dream about winning the lottery or inheriting a fortune by some other means doesn’t mean that you’re more likely to become a millionaire. But this dream usually is an indication that you’re in good shape when it comes to your finances and your life in general. Since money can represent self-worth or value in dreams, dreaming about winning money can mean that you believe in yourself at the moment and are in a position where success is within reach.
Free Falling
You know that dream where you fall and fall and you can’t prevent it or keep hold of anything? And then you’re jolted awake just before you hit the bottom? This dream, though it doesn’t feature money, can have a lot to do with how you feel about your financial situation. Falling in a dream is and indication of feeling anxious about losing control over a situation or letting go. It’s common to have this dream when you’re going through a rough time financially or you’re just overly-worried about money.
Missing Your Ride
Dreaming that you just missed a flight or catching a bus or train can symbolize your frustration over missing important opportunities in life. This dream is a common when you’re struggling over making an important financial decision, like buying a house or saving up for a grand vacation. It’s up to you whether you take the dream seriously, but if this is a kind of recurring dream for you, you’re probably feeling the negative effects of missing out on something great.
Stealing Money
Are you a sneaky thief in your dreams? Don’t worry, this dream isn’t indicative of your likelihood to start living a life of crime. Most often, this dream means that you need to be more cautious when it comes to money. It can also indicate desperation in any aspect of your life. Maybe you’re desperate for love or acceptance. Whatever it is that you want, this dream tells you that your psyche feels like it’s out of reach.
Cruising On an Open Road
Ever have that open road dream where you’re cruising down the road without a care, with the top down and the wind blowing through your hair? This common dream can actually signify that you feel confident in your financial decisions and you’re on track with your goals.
If you are driving your dream car, then [Loewenberg] says odds are you’re confident in your financial decisions and your mind is telling you you’re on the right path. “You have the ‘drive’ and motivation and are well on your way towards your financial goals,” she says.
Giving Your Money Out or Spending Your Money
How you handle money, or witness others handling money in your dreams, can represent a wide variety of things that don’t even have to do with money at all. Here’s some insight from Dream Moods Dictionary:
To give or spend money in your dream is analogous to giving love. You are looking for love. To see others giving money away suggests that you are feeling ignored, overlooked or neglected. Someone is not paying enough attention and showing enough affection toward you. If you are hogging or hoarding money, then it denotes insecurity or selfishness.
Getting Lost and Walking in Circles
We’ve all had this dream. You’re wandering around, maybe in a forest or a big mall or through empty streets, and you have no idea where you’re going. You keep hitting the same landmarks and you don’t appear to make any progress at all. This can indicate that you’re feeling blocked or restricted in your own life in some way. You’re in some kind of situation that you feel you can’t get out of, no matter how hard you try. There doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Here are some financially-related thoughts from Loewenberg on the subject:
“Debt can be a common real life issue that can cause this dream,” she says. You might think there’s no way to pay off all your creditors to ever save up enough for a down payment on a house, “so you feel trapped or ‘lost’ and those feelings play out in your dreams,” she says.
How much stock do you put into your dreams? Do you remember your dreams often or even record and track them? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. Thanks for being a Tip Hero!
Sources: Dream Moods Dictionary, Fox Business, World of Lucid Dreaming
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