7 Tips for Interpreting Your Dream Like a Pro

understanding the meaning of dreams - how to interpret dreams like a pro

Discovering the meaning of dreams can be tricky, but it’s worth learning to interpret them. After all, how many times have you asked yourself, “What does my dream mean?”

I once had a dream that would normally be a terrifying nightmare, but instead brought total clarity.

By the end of this post, you’ll be able to interpret your own dreams, too…

What Does My Dream Mean?

I was headed down an apartment hallway with a ton of boxes (shoe sale, obviously). But when I got to the front door, my key wasn’t cooperating, and the boxes were making it difficult to see the problem.

All of a sudden there was a man in the hallway with a gun!

Realizing the danger, I tried like crazy to get in the door but with all the boxes in my way I couldn’t seem to make it work. I fumbled with the key and door for what felt like FOREVER.

Right before I woke up, I heard a voice say, “Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you set it all down?”

Oh. Um, duh!

But of course, in the dream (and in life) sometimes the “duh” solution isn’t so obvious. That dream brought clarity to the fact that I was holding onto too much stuff in my life.

When I woke up, I could’ve taken that dream to mean one of two things…

  • There’s about to be a great shoe sale somewhere.
  • I had too much going on to accomplish anything.

Option number two is probably what my dream was trying to tell me (that didn’t stop me from searching the Macy’s website when I woke up though).

Interpreting dreams can be a tricky but rewarding business.

Mostly because there’s no neon sign that drops out of the sky when you come to the “right” answer (if only, right?)

Even still, it can be worthwhile to dig into a dream that may be of significance! My potentially terrifying nightmare led to some great clarity.

So, let’s talk about the meaning of dreams and how to interpret your dreams (and nightmares).

Interpreting the Meaning of Your Dreams

1. Look at the overall tone

Even though my dream could have been totally terrifying, the overall tone wasn’t that scary. I somehow got the sense that there was a message hidden somewhere.

Trust your sense and intuition when it comes to the meaning of dreams.

2. Check for metaphors

In my case, the entire dream was a metaphor. But remember: Sometimes metaphors can show up in just parts of the dream.

Look for things that seem out of place or over simplified.

For instance, my goal in the dream was to get from one place to another. This turned out to be the KEY for interpreting my dream.

3. Pay attention to your feelings

My dream didn’t feel as scary as it could or should have.

Even though I recognized the obvious danger, I understood that there was a bigger message. If your feeling in the dream seems to be different than what it would normally be, check for a deeper meaning.

4. Ask for help

Dreams are one way that our spiritual team of Spirit Guides and loved ones communicate with us.

When we are asleep, our brains are at rest, making it easier for us to access spiritual or intuitive guidance.

If there is a dream that’s been nagging at you, it’s likely that your spiritual team tried to send you a message for a reason.

On the flip side, if you’re totally stumped on what that message was (or the meaning of dreams in general, for that matter) — ask your spiritual helpers for guidance.

Trust me, your Spirit Guides love when you ask them for help! You can “talk” to them via:

  • Journaling
  • Meditation
  • Directly asking for help – and then looking out for obvious and subtle signs

5. Compare it to life

I learned a secret about the meaning of dreams that made it much easier to interpret them…

Dreams mirror our real life.

It’s hard to dream of unicorns and rainbows (or a picnic with Gerard Butler) when our lives are in chaos, or we are still feeling a past trauma.

Our dreams reflect our thoughtsIn other words, they are a manifestation of the things that are on our minds.

So, stop and think:

  • What’s been on your mind lately? Are you thinking about moving? Divorce?
  • Have you responded different to someone lately? Setting more boundaries? Feel like someone is walking all over you?
  • Did you lose a loved one? Dreams can also be visits from loved ones in spirit.
  • If your dream seemed to take place in another time and place, it could very well be a past life dream. How can you relate your dream to this lifetime? Do you see any patterns?

These questions can be a great start at understanding the meaning of dreams!

6. Journal about it

Journaling is an amazing way to figure out the meaning of dreams. Seriously, you can get great dream insight through journaling!

If you feel like the meaning of a dream is just on the tip of your tongue, try writing it all out.

Focusing in on it can cause you to remember details you may be missing. It can also make you look at something in a completely new light.

7. Keep a dream journal and use it

You knew this one was coming, right?

If you tend to forget your dreams easily, keep a notebook by your bed so you can jot everything down when you wake up — as soon as you wake up. Before you even turn on a lamp, grab your notebook and start writing.

Write down every detail that you can think of.

Scribble it all out and look back and reflect on it later. Again, you can journal about it or meditate. Or sit quietly with a cup of tea (or wine) and focus on your heart.

Ask yourself: what does my dream mean? 

Then, sit quietly for a few moments and let an answer come to you. With some practice, this technique works really well!

How I Interpreted My Dream

In my dream, I had to put something down. It was a metaphor for what was going on in my life.

I wanted to do something but could never seem to find the time or motivation (like I said in tip #5, our thoughts manifest in our dreams).

My dream made me realize that if I wanted to move on, I had to leave the “boxes” in the hallway. It totally made sense in the dream, but in real life I had been trying to be Superwoman!

That’s why I love dreams so much…

We’re able to tune into our intuition and bypass the part of our brain that would continue fighting with the key and boxes.

The Meaning of Dreams Takeaways

  • Dream meanings are different for all of us. There really isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ dream dictionary that can apply to everyone. With a little patience, and a willing to practice and go within, you can become a pro at interpreting your own dreams!
  • Some people almost never remember what their dream was while others use dreams as a constant communication with their Spirit Guides and Higher Self. Keeping a dream journal will help you become a dream pro, too!
  • At the end of the day, dreams can mostly be whatever we want to make of them, so it can be really fun and enlightening to study and interpret them.
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