Humankind has been trying to solve the mystery of dreams for as long as they’ve existed. Today there is even a special discipline in the study of dreams called oneirology. Those who prefer the esoteric side of things over science love to interpret their dreams according to various dream books and believe that they can predict the future. But psychologists think that dreams accurately reflect our current condition and that our subconscious tries to tell us something important via dreams from time to time.
We at Bright Side have learned that there are dreams that are common for all of us. Each of us sees these types of dreams every now and then. These dreams are caused by our ancient instincts, a cultural code, the experience of our ancestors, and personal experience. A psychologist and an expert in the field of dreams, Patricia Garfield, calls them “universal dreams” and says, “Like a hearty stew that is rich with local produce, the universal dreams differ among different peoples, but they are all nourishing variants of the same wholesome meal. They are as old as humanity and as widespread as our globe.”
1. Falling
In adulthood, we see falling more often than flying. According to the psychologist Ian Wallace, a dream about falling symbolizes the fear of losing control. You can’t control something in your life anymore because some drastic changes that you were not ready for took place in your life. Think about what sphere of life (work, relationships, finances, health, etc.) you feel most suppressed or vulnerable in as well as the ways to correct it.
Some scientists explain dreams about falling with simple physiology. As the body is sinking into sleep, the nerve system starts to calm down, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease and your falling asleep brain (especially if it was overwhelmed during the day) can perceive this physiological change as danger or an approaching death and therefore, makes you wake up suddenly.
The opposite version of this dream is flying which signifies freeing oneself from some hard burden and getting the desirable freedom.
2. Teeth that fall out and injuries
Our subconscious interprets teeth as an indicator of strength, and an ability to “bite off” a piece of the world. “Perhaps, you have recently been feeling unarmed and helpless in the real world,” Penney Peirce explains.
Patricia Garfield, another expert who’s studied dreams for many years, connects dreams about teeth falling out with hidden anger. As a rule, when we suppress anger, we clench our jaw, and our teeth might start to creak and grind. This dream might be signaling that it’s high time to get rid of negative feelings.
We often have dreams where someone close to us is wounded or sick. Those dreams cause consternation; however, from psychology’s point of view, things are not that bad. It’s simply our fears of the future and inevitable changes with those close to us. If you see your own death, it means that some part of you is dying and staying in the past to give space to something new.
“Opposite” dreams about birth and recovery usually appear when something new is taking place in a person’s life (like a new job or project) and symbolize a new experience.
3. Failure at an exam or public performance
You’re about to take an exam and suddenly realize that you don’t remember anything or you can’t say a word when standing in front of a big crowd. These dreams might be experienced not only by students and school kids but also by people who have graduated a long time ago. It’s likely that you had some stress shortly before going to sleep or was extremely worried about something. In this case, it’s better to take a short break and relax.
4. Being chased or persecuted
Such dreams have several different meanings. An expert in the field of dreams named Lauri Loewenberg says, “People that tend to avoid conflict, who are afraid of ruffling feathers or causing issues will have the recurring dream of being chased.”
Pay attention to the thing chasing you — they symbolize an unpleasant feeling or situation that you try not to think about in real life. It can be debt or addiction. Are you chased by a person you know? Think about what or who you associate this person with. They might indicate some other person or even a part of your personality that you don’t want to admit (like a hidden talent or aspiration) in your dream.
There’s also a theory saying that dreams about running away from someone are simply the echoes of primitive instincts that are in our genes thanks to our ancestors. All because they were constantly running from predators.
5. Inappropriate clothes or an absence of any
In your dream, you turn up in a public place wearing inappropriate clothes or not wearing anything at all. In this situation, it’s important to pay attention to the feelings you encountered in your dream. These dreams are usually followed by a feeling of shame and embarrassment.
Psychologist Ian Wallace notes, “It means that you feel vulnerable at your new job or in your new relationship and are afraid that others will learn about your weaknesses and disadvantages.” However, if you don’t feel any shame in your dream but instead feel proud of yourself, the dream has the opposite meaning. Perhaps you feel a lack of recognition and admiration and would like others to see your talents as well as your personality more.
6. A catastrophe or an apocalypse
We’ve all dreamed about natural or man-made disasters where we’re scared for our own lives and the lives of those close to us. These dreams might indicate personal problems that have gotten out of control or are a result of feeling threatened by something. Of course, constant messages in the media about catastrophes and terrorist acts worsen the situation. As a result, we start feeling vulnerable in the modern world.
Sometimes, when having a nightmare, we try to shout out loud but feel that our voice has left us, which causes an even bigger fear. Psychologists explain it as sleep paralysis. During the last phase of sleep, when we have dreams, our brain purposefully paralyzes the body so that we can lie still and not “live” in our sleep by running, jumping, etc. People who have sleep paralysis usually wake up before the end of the last phase and enter a state between sleep and reality for a short period. This can be felt as an inability to move, speak, and, in some cases, breathe.
7. Faulty equipment or vehicles
You try to use some gadget or device, and it breaks right away. For example, your phone stops working, and you can’t call anyone. According to Patricia Garfield, these dreams are more often experienced by women and symbolize worries about relationships or losing an emotional connection with someone.
Dreams in which you’re trying to operate a vehicle that doesn’t work properly or breaks down are in the same category. You are likely missing support and can’t cope with a difficult life situation by yourself.
8. Pregnancy
As strange as it might sound, it’s not only women who can have dreams about pregnancy. A psychologist name David Bedrick says, “Pregnancy symbolizes something new growing inside us.” You subconsciously dream about “giving birth” to a new fascinating creative project. It can be anything from writing a book to repairing a house. It’s time to set a goal and show the world how you can take on this new role.
If you’re not pregnant in real life, you may be seeking fulfillment after having such a dream.
9. Being late
Dreams that have you running after a departing train or running late for an important meeting can occur quite often. According to a dream expert, Michael R. Olsen, they can symbolize the fear of missing out on something very important in your relationships or in the upbringing of your child, for example. If you’re constantly overwhelmed and don’t have much time to accomplish things in real life, your subconscious is signaling that it’s time for you to reconsider your schedule and free up time for really important things.
10. An unknown room
Dreams about new rooms are about self-knowledge. If you find yourself in an unknown house in your dream, it means that you don’t know yourself well and try to neglect some sides of your character. A separate unfamiliar room symbolizes that you have a hidden talent, skill, or opportunity that you don’t use.
A psychotherapist named Eddie Traversa thinks that we subconsciously associate some rooms with certain processes. A kitchen is a place where products get transformed into a finished dish which means that you’re currently going through some inner changes. A bathroom is a symbol of freeing oneself from unnecessary baggage. It might symbolize that it’s time to get rid of something that is not needed any longer. A bathroom is a symbol of cleansing and it means that you feel the necessity to clarify things or see them in a different light. A bedroom signifies the things that worry you in your romantic relationship.
Have you ever experienced any of these dreams or do you usually see something different? Please tell us about it in the comments!
Lonely Woman Hides Her Son During a Date to Avoid Scaring the Man Away, but Regrets It the End – Story of the Day
Single mother Riley was trying her best to find love, even though it was tough. As soon as her dates found out she had a son, the romance quickly faded away. Her desperation grew, and Riley felt she had no choice but to hide her son. However, she immediately regretted that decision.
Riley stood in front of her 8-year-old son, Roy, with a heavy heart, unsure if she was making the right choice. At 32, balancing life as a single mother and trying to find love felt like walking a tightrope.
Ever since her ex-boyfriend walked out on her as soon as he found out she was pregnant, Riley had been left to raise Roy on her own.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Over the years, she had embraced being a mom and built a world around her son, but deep down, there was still a longing—someone to share her life with, someone to love her as much as she loved Roy.
But finding that someone was harder than she ever imagined. Every time she met someone new, things seemed promising until they found out about Roy.
It was as if the mere mention of her child made them pull away. The disappointment stung every time, and Riley was growing tired of it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Now, with this new date on the horizon with Mitchell, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was her last chance to see if there was hope.
Mitchell seemed different—kind, charming, and someone who could be the one. But she was afraid that if she introduced Roy too soon, she’d scare him off like the others.
“I don’t want to go to Kyle’s tonight,” Roy whined, clutching his favorite toy tightly in his arms.
His face was scrunched up in a pout, his big eyes pleading.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I want to stay here with you.”
Riley crouched down so that she was eye-level with her son, trying to push aside the guilt gnawing at her. She gently brushed a strand of hair off his forehead and forced a smile.
“Roy, it’s just for one night,” she said, trying to sound upbeat.
“You always have so much fun with Kyle. You two will stay up, watch movies, play games—it’ll be a blast. And I’ll pick you up first thing in the morning.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Roy’s expression softened slightly, but he still looked uncertain. “But what if I don’t want to sleep there?”
“You’ll be fine,” Riley reassured him. “It’s only for tonight, and tomorrow we’ll do something fun, okay?”
As much as she loved Roy, she needed this night to go well. She had arranged for him to have a sleepover at his friend Kyle’s house, something she rarely did. But tonight was different.
Tonight, she was going to see if there was a future with Mitchell, and to do that, she needed to focus on herself.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t want to have to worry about Roy or the complications that might arise from mentioning she had a child too soon.
The taxi arrived at the Kyles house, and with one final hug, Riley sent Roy inside.
She felt a pang in her heart as she watched him walk up the steps, his shoulders slightly slumped, but she quickly reminded herself that this was necessary.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She wasn’t doing this just for herself—if things went well with Mitchell, it could mean a better future for both of them.
As the taxi pulled away from Kyle’s house, Riley took a deep breath and tried to focus on the evening ahead.
She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but she couldn’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
When Riley arrived at the restaurant, she spotted Mitchell waiting at a small table near the window. He looked sharp in a clean-cut suit, his hair neatly combed, and when he saw her approaching, his face lit up with a warm smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley’s nerves immediately kicked in, but she had put effort into her appearance tonight—her favorite dress, just enough makeup to feel confident, and a pair of heels that made her feel taller.
She wanted to feel good about herself, especially since she was hoping this date could be something more than just casual.
They exchanged a few pleasantries as they sat down, but there was an awkward tension in the air.
Neither of them seemed to know what to say to get the conversation going. Riley’s mind raced as she tried to think of a topic to break the ice, but Mitchell beat her to it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“So, do you think the menu is a bit too… fancy?” Mitchell asked, a playful smile on his face. “I mean, I’ve never seen so many different kinds of salad in my life.”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. The tension broke, and the joke made her feel more at ease.
“I know, right? Who knew you could have six varieties of lettuce?” she joked back.
With that, the conversation flowed more easily. They started talking about their favorite foods, funny stories from their jobs, and some light-hearted moments from their past.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley found herself laughing more than she had in months, and for a while, she felt like she could enjoy the evening without overthinking everything.
But as they finished dinner and stepped outside for a walk, that nagging thought crept back into her mind. She still hadn’t told him about Roy.
The guilt weighed on her. She liked Mitchell, and they were getting along so well, but would that change if he knew she was a single mother?
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Taking a deep breath, Riley decided to test the waters.
“Mitchell, what do you think about kids?” she asked, trying to sound casual but feeling her heart race as she waited for his answer.
Mitchell’s expression shifted slightly. He hesitated for a second and then quickly changed the subject.
Riley’s heart sank. His avoidance was clear, and it made her even more anxious about telling him the truth.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t want to lose this connection, but hiding such a big part of her life felt wrong.
Before she could figure out what to say next, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Startled, she quickly excused herself and answered. It was Kyle.
“Kyle? Is everything okay?” she asked, trying to hide her rising worry.
Kyle’s voice was shaky. “Roy fell really bad, and he won’t stop crying. You need to come get him.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley’s heart leaped into her throat. Her son needed her, and there was no question in her mind about what she had to do next.
Riley took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she turned to Mitchell. She knew she couldn’t avoid the truth any longer.
“Mitchell, I need to tell you something,” she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Mitchell looked at her with genuine concern in his eyes. “What is it?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have an 8-year-old son, Roy,” Riley admitted, the weight of the words hanging in the air. “I didn’t tell you earlier because… I was afraid it would scare you away.”
She paused, gauging his reaction. His face showed a hint of surprise, but he remained silent, letting her continue.
“I left him at his friend’s house tonight so we could have some space, but he just got hurt, and I need to go get him. I’m so sorry. I lied, and I shouldn’t have done that.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mitchell stared at her for a few moments, and Riley braced herself for the worst. But then, he smiled softly, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that reassured her.
“Riley, it’s okay,” he said gently. “I understand. And honestly, I’ve been hiding something too.”
Riley blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Mitchell let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have a daughter. She’s twelve. I didn’t mention her because I was afraid of how you’d react too.”
Riley’s heart lifted with relief. “You do?” she asked, her voice softening with surprise. She hadn’t expected this.
Mitchell nodded.
“Yeah, and I get it, Riley. Being a parent is tough. You’re constantly juggling everything, trying to make sure your kid is okay while also trying to live your own life. Dating is even harder when you’re trying to balance it all.” He smiled warmly at her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Why don’t I come with you? We can go get Roy together. I’d like to meet him.”
Riley’s eyes welled up with gratitude, a mixture of relief and joy washing over her.
She had been so scared of telling him, of being judged, but here he was, offering to help.
“You’d do that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mitchell smiled again, his expression calm and reassuring. “Of course. I know how important he is to you. Let’s go make sure he’s okay.”
Riley couldn’t believe how everything had turned out. She smiled back at Mitchell, feeling a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. Together, they headed to the car, ready to get Roy.
Mitchell drove Riley to Kyle’s house, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. Riley sat beside him, her mind racing with worry about Roy.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
They barely exchanged words, but Mitchell’s presence was comforting. As soon as they arrived, they both hurried to the front door, their nerves apparent in their quick steps.
Kyle’s mother greeted them with a calm expression, clearly puzzled by their urgency. “Is everything alright?” she asked, looking from Riley to Mitchell.
“Kyle called and said Roy was hurt,” Riley explained, her voice trembling with concern.
Kyle’s mother’s brow furrowed in confusion, but she remained calm.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I’m sure he’s fine. The boys are just upstairs, playing video games. Come on, I’ll show you.”
Riley and Mitchell followed her upstairs, hearts pounding, though the woman’s calm demeanor reassured them slightly.
When they reached Kyle’s room, Riley pushed the door open carefully, bracing herself. There, sitting on the floor, were Roy and Kyle, engrossed in their game, completely unharmed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Relief washed over Riley as she knelt in front of Roy, her voice soft but full of concern. “Roy, what happened? Kyle said you were hurt.”
Roy blushed deeply, fiddling with the controller in his hands. “I… I just missed you, Mom. I wanted you to come back.”
Riley’s heart melted. She pulled Roy into a tight hug, tears welling up in her eyes. “Oh, Roy. You don’t have to make up stories to see me. I’ll always come back for you, no matter what.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Behind her, Mitchell chuckled softly, the tension in the air dissolving. “Well, looks like the crisis has been averted,” he said with a grin.
As they drove home, Riley couldn’t help but laugh at how the night had turned out. All the stress and fear had vanished, replaced by the warmth of the moment.
She glanced at Roy, who was happily chatting away in the back seat, and then over at Mitchell, who smiled at her.
“How about our next date?” Mitchell asked, his eyes twinkling. “We bring the kids.”
Riley smiled back, her heart light. “I’d like that.”
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