Whether your dreams are sweet, naughty or just plain weird, sometimes it can feel like there’s no explaining them.
Yet often our nighttime visions can tap into our subconscious and offer a window into feelings we’re not even aware of.
Ahead of World Dream Day this Saturday, we caught up with expert and best-selling author Theresa Cheung to interpret some of our most common dreams (or nightmares).
The writer of two Sunday Times top 10 bestsellers, Theresa has been described by comedian-turned-lifestyle guru Russell Brand as “mysterious, illuminating, kind and informative”.
“Here are 10 of the most commonly reported dreams or dreams, which research shows we are all likely to have at some point in our lives,” she says.
“All of them are powerful catalysts for tremendous personal growth and signs of untapped creativity.”
Sleeping with someone you shouldn’t be
Contrary to popular belief this is not a sign you fancy your dream lover.
Sleeping with someone else likely means that some aspect of their personality (for example, their sense of humour) needs to be assimilated within yourself.
This dream can also suggest something may be missing from your relationship or your waking life in general.
Is it a sense of adventure? Cheating dreams are all about the need to get out of your comfort zone, unleash your creativity and feel more alive.
Naked in public
This dream suggests a longing to return to childlike innocence, or the real you, stripped of pretence or burdened by the expectations of others.
It’s a desire to stop pretending or be seen for who you truly are.
Depending on circumstances in your waking life, dream nudity can also be a symbol of vulnerability or fear of being exposed.
Either way, your dreaming mind wants you to celebrate and be true to your authentic self.
Unprepared for an exam
This dream relates to the feeling that you have not met the standards you have set for yourself.
Or perhaps you feel you are falling short of the expectations of others.
If you have this dream, you need to boost your self esteem and live life more on your own terms.
Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Falling from a great height
This is the most commonly reported dream.
It’s a clear sign of feeling unsupported or that some situation or relationship in your waking life is spiralling out of control.
It can also be a warning to take control of your life or your mindset before things become too reckless or you succumb to impulses that are not in your best interests.
Transform falling into flying.
You’re being chased
This is a powerful indicator that in your waking life you are avoiding someone or something which for your personal growth urgently needs to be faced or understood.
This is especially the case if this dream theme is recurring.
Chances are you are running from difficult or painful emotions or you are fleeing from a responsibility or expectation, either self-imposed or put on you by others.
Time to stop running and stand your ground.
Late for an important meeting
This dream is all about feeling that you have missed out on an important opportunity or you are in danger of doing so if you don’t seize the moment.
Try to identify what that opportunity is in your waking life. Where do you feel left behind
Let this dream remind you of the importance of staying alert and being prepared.
Discovering you’re pregnant
Dreaming you are pregnant suggests that you need to be patient and wait for your current ideas or plans to come to fruition.
It’s also a sign of big new beginnings or a wonderful creative project or relationship you are ‘giving birth’ to.
Meeting a celebrity
Wish fulfilment dreams. Meeting a celebrity in your dreams perhaps indicates a desire to emulate their positive qualities or talents.
Can also simply be a longing for more glamour in your waking life or that you want to be recognised in some way.
Do you feel undervalued? If so high time for you to step into the spotlight.
Desperate to find the loo
This suggests frustrations in your waking life or not giving yourself enough private or alone time.
It may also reference an inability to let go of resentments and negativity.
If you have this dream pay closer attention to your personal space and intimate emotional needs.
Nightmares about death
Nightmares are your dreaming mind resorting to tough love to get a very important message across to you.
When you dream of death it suggests the need for big change in some area of your life.
You need to say goodbye to something or someone and that could be a project, job, home or relationship – but more likely it is a mindset or attitude that is holding you back.
Yes, death suggests endings but endings are thrilling because whenever there is an ending there is always a glorious new beginning waiting in the wings.