What if you could tap into a new part of your mind every time you went to sleep? The average person spends 26 years of their life asleep. That is a lot of chances to spot patterns in your dreams and bring those lessons into your waking life, through the power of dream journaling.
What is dream journaling?
Dream journaling is the practice of logging your dreams when you wake up each morning, before they leave you to be replaced by your thoughts for the day.
It can be as simple or as complex as you want. Log each dream in great detail, turn your dreams into illustrations, or just jot down a few bullet points to help you remember.
As with any type of journaling, approach dream journaling in a way that feels right for you.
But what if I do not dream?
If dream journaling sounds great but you never remember your dreams, there is still something in this for you.
Way back in 1978, Henry Reed led a study into the link between dream recall and meditation. When a participant had meditated the day before, they were significantly more likely to recall their dreams the next morning.
So if that is you, why not give meditation a try? It could be just what your mind needs to prepare you for better dreaming. (We love the Calm app for an easy starting point.)
What role do dreams play in global cultures?
Take a deep dive into certain cultures and you will find that dreams play an incredible role.
Native American culture believes that dreams are an extension of reality. They enable us to travel to different realms, communicate with our ancestors and even talk to animals.
"Your soul dreams those dreams; not your body, not your mind. Those dreams come true. The soul travels all over the world when you dream."
Chippewa Elder John Thunderbird
The psychology behind dream journaling
When you look at the research, it turns out that dreams are an extension of our reality. Or at least, they can be.
A study conducted a blind analysis of 940 dreams from a woman who kept a regular dream journal for 30 years, before making predictions about her life. Of the 26 predictions made, she was able to confirm 23 as accurate.
This included aspects of her emotional temperament, preoccupations, relationships, financial concerns, physical health, and cultural interests. Patterns in dream content can have meaningful connections with people's concerns, interests and activities in waking life.
The (surprising) benefits of dream journaling
It can support lucid dreaming
Imagine being able to control your dreams so you can explore new possibilities and let your curiosity run free, all whilst you are catching up on sleep. Lucid dreaming is easier when you practise dream recall. Keep your journal by your bed and get ready to wander through your dreamland.
You can tap into more creative ideas
Dreams are a way of recombining your past experiences into something new. According to Harvard University psychologist Deirdre Barrett, "in the sleep state, the brain thinks much more visually and intuitively." Logging your dreams gives those ideas a dedicated space to develop over time.
You develop better self-awareness
Your dreams can show you what is really going on in your life. Freud called dream interpretation the "royal road" to the unconscious. If there is something your mind keeps getting stuck on, it may well pop up in your dreams. Make a note of recurring themes. There might be a lesson there.
How to get started with dream journaling
Step 1: Pick your dream journal
Your dream journal needs to be good looking enough that you are happy with it on your bedside table, and spacious enough for however you want to explore your dreams. A wellness journal or lined notebook both work well for morning logging.
Step 2: Give your journal a home
Your journal needs to live right next to your bed so you can pick it up the moment your dream ends. Keep a pen, pencil, or coloured pens there too.
Step 3: Keep it private
Common blockers and how to move past them:
- You forget your dream before writing it down. Pause without your phone or other distractions. Your dream might come back if you give it a chance.
- You are scared about what other people might think. Keep your journal somewhere safe and private. Your bedside drawer works perfectly.
- You are not "a writer". Your dream journal does not have to be written prose. Scribble bullet notes. Draw a picture. Make up your own system.
Step 4: Take the time to reflect
There are many guides telling you how to interpret your dreams. We are firm believers that your dreams are yours to interpret. Only you know the unique context of your life. Look at how those dreams make you feel and what lessons would be helpful to take from them.
Some dream journaling prompts to help you begin
Keep these prompts to hand for those sleepy early mornings when you do not know what to say.
- What colours did you see in your dream? How would you describe them: vibrant, muted, fluorescent?
- Did you notice any particular patterns or shapes in your dream?
- Where did your dream take place? Can you recognise the places?
- Who was present in your dream? Were they familiar? Were they acting as you might expect?
- Did you feel any movement in this dream?
- How did your dream make you feel? What emotions did you experience?
- Can you draw a picture, illustration or rough sketch of your dream?
- What would you like to have happened next in your dream?
- Is there any part of this dream you would like to change?
- Would you like to experience a dream like this one again?
Try dream journaling for yourself
Make it your own. A wellness journal sits beautifully on a bedside table, while a museum journal gives you room to illustrate dreams at the back. For more reflective journaling ideas, explore moon journaling and tarot journaling.
