Recurring Dreams

The Frustration Dream

I am attempting to do something that should be easy, something that I know how to do, but in the dream, it seems impossible. It might be something as simple as trying to dial a telephone, but I can’t do it. Either I don’t remember how, or I lack the necessary strength or skill. I feel powerless, frustrated, and embarrassed.

Silver Lining: Thankfully, I’m not that inept in real life.

The Exam Dream

I’m on a college campus. I need to get to my final exam. It’s starting in a few minutes, and I don’t want to be late. But I’m puzzled, because I can’t remember where the classroom is. I’m not even sure which building to go to, which isn’t surprising, because I never attended the class. Maybe I went once at the beginning of the semester, but that was months ago, and I blew off the rest of the classes. 

I’m getting desperate. The hour for the test has already begun. I don’t know if I’m going to make it. I feel terrible. I’ve blown an opportunity and wasted a lot of money. I resolve to ask for an extension. Or maybe I’ll sign up next semester and make sure that I get myself to all of the classes.

Silver Lining: I’m not alone. Every college graduate is cursed with this same dream.

The Guilt Dream

In the dream, I’ve committed a crime. It was a long time ago; I had almost forgotten about it, even though it was a serious offense. But I just realized that there was some detail that I overlooked, some piece of evidence that I neglected to conceal. The police are looking into it, and it’s only a matter of time until they figure it out. I feel desperate. They’re closing in.

When I wake from the dream, I’m sweating and shaking. It seemed to real. I’m completely unnerved. I have to think for a moment and reflect over my life before I can assure myself that I never actually committed this terrible act. 

Silver Lining: After years of agonizing over the meaning of this most disturbing dream, I realized that it was my nervous system’s way of shocking me into waking up when my bladder is about to explode. I calm myself down, make a trip to the bathroom, and go right back to sleep.

The Unfulfilled Romance Dream

In the dream, I reminisce about an attractive woman from my past, someone that I wanted to date, but I got busy and never asked. Or maybe we went on a couple of dates, but I didn’t follow up because I started seeing someone else.

I realize that she was a wonderful person, and I recall us having a good chemistry. I resolve to call her to see how she’s doing and if it makes sense, to invite her to get together. When I wake up, I realize that no such person existed. It was only a dream.

Silver Lining: None. Only frustration.

The Naked Dream

I’m walking around naked in broad daylight. The weather is pleasant, so I don’t feel cold. It seems perfectly normal at first. I’m even a bit defiant about it. I figure that if someone doesn’t like what I’m doing, it’s their problem. 

But as the dream goes on, I become more self-conscious. I realize that I could end up walking past a park or a school where children are congregating. I realize how awful that would be, so I retreat and seek shelter. 

I cover my private parts with my hands or with whatever scraps of cloth or paper I can find nearby. I walk strategically against walls and avoid open spaces. I try to figure out how I can get home without encountering too many people. Once I’m home, I can put on proper clothing. Unfortunately, the route back to the house is filled with obstacles. I end up having to climb over fences and small buildings. It’s not an easy journey for a naked guy who’s trying to remain unseen.

I started having this dream about ten or fifteen years ago. I never had it when I was young. This leads me to believe that it’s associated with a fear of aging and losing my faculties. Perhaps I am internally concerned with the onset of dementia, realizing that one day, I may be so unaware of reality that I could actually walk out of the house without wearing pants.

Silver Lining: I’m not senile yet. At least, I don’t think so. Wait! Where are my pants?