Keeping a Dream Journal


Have you been dreaming a lot more lately? It’s common for us to dream more vividly and more memorably when we are going through a time of transition or other stress. And lately, we’re all in that boat. If that’s been happening for you, you might want to keep a dream journal to see what you can learn from your dreams. Today I’ll offer some suggestions for keeping a journal, and tomorrow I’ll follow up with tips on how to use it.

We’ve likely all had those dreams where it’s time for a final exam and we haven’t studied or gone to class. Dreams of falling, of being chased, or of being unable to move forward through mud or molasses are common. But just because a type of dream is common doesn’t mean that it has a universal connotation for all dreamers.

The truest thing we can say is that my dreams mean what they mean to me, and your dreams mean what they mean to you. Someone else might be able to offer a guess or suggestion about meaning that resonates, but only the dreamer can interpret the dream.

A dream journal is not like a diary; it doesn’t have to be highly detailed. It’s enough to simply jot down a few key words or phrases that will allow you to recall the dream well later. For example, I might wake from an elaborate dream and only need to write, “Beach; red car; lost jacket; baby in swing.” Even seemingly unrelated subjects can be enough to trigger memory later.

One common problem with trying to keep a dream journal is remembering your dreams, and remembering them long enough to make notes about them. Here are some techniques that could help you get started with a dream journal:
  • Before you go to bed, set the intention to remember your dreams. It might sound crazy, but this can help. Like any new skill, it can take time. So don’t expect immediate results, or that you will have the same result every morning.
  • Put a pen and notebook next to your bed.
  • It’s typical for dreams to evaporate as soon as we shift position or open our eyes. As soon as you wake in the morning, lie in place without moving and without opening your eyes while you try to recall your dream(s).
  • When you believe you have the dream(s) in mind, immediately jot down the words or phrases that stand out to you most and will help you recall the dream(s) later.
  • If you have trouble, it might help if you mentally run through lists of places (ocean, mountains, forest, city, school, house, grocery store, etc.), activities (driving, walking, riding a bus, cooking, getting a haircut, etc.), and people (parent, neighbor, teacher, child, nurse, etc.) to see if you get a “hit.” Sometimes just a little jog will bring a dream flooding back to us.
  • Notice if a dream fragment comes back to you later in the day. Sometimes a dream memory will be triggered by something else we experience. If that happens for you, pause, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and try to let your mind be open. Dream memories are more likely to come back when we are not struggling or reaching for them. Just see what comes. If you do recall a dream, add it to your journal right away.
  • Finally, don’t discount any dream as unimportant. If you recall a dream, make a note about it. You can always choose to discard that dream later.

Whether you often recall your dreams or you seldom do, know that your brain is resting and repairing as you sleep. Dreaming may help in that process. So sleep well, and sweet dreams to you. And if you’re having trouble sleeping, watch for some tips on sleep hygiene later in the week.

Until tomorrow, keep your distance, wear your mask, and stay healthy.

Love,
Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma

Comments

Anonymous said…
I may be dreaming more. At least more vividly. If you sleep with a fit bit or something similar it measures the % of your dream state sleep.
Nancie, I used your journal technique in more youthful years. It is true, just a few jots in the dark will help trigger a later reflection.
My typical worry dream is as a university student and at least one class I’ve not even attended or done any work after weeks into the term. It may represent the doom and gloom of consequence for work not done.
As a child my good friend would set the alarm at least every hour in the night so he could wake and ponder his remembered dream(s). Cheap entertainment.
I like your moving to a blog post. Yes Carl is the man of the week‼️ dft
May 4, 2020 at 9:09 AM
Anonymous said…
I will have to give this a try, however the one part I see hard is laying there still with my eyes shut when I wake up. I tend to hit the ground running, but maybe this will help me with other areas I struggle in. I know in the past one neat connection I have had with dreams was the sex of babies people were going to have including my son Jacob. I wanted Jacob to be a girl and we couldn't tell in our ultra sounds. Right before I had him I had a dream and it was a bad one. I dreamed he was a boy and I tried to alter him to a girl. I felt so horrible when I woke up. To this day I know it was my sub letting me know he was a boy and not to be disappointed when he was born. I love all my kids and very proud of the young man he has become today. Thank you for sharing your blog. Kim
May 4, 2020 at 10:30 AM
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