13 bizarre dreams people say they've had over and over
Some of these might have meaning. Others are just plain weird.
Dreams are definitely one of the strangest human experiences.
Having the same dream over and over again is a fairly common human experience. And while they can be pleasant, most recurring dreams lean toward the negative.
Even if they aren’t nightmares, recurring dreams can often put people in stressful situations, like getting trapped, losing control of a vehicle or showing up late to an important event. Many theories agree that this is more than our brains torturing us—instead, the repeating themes are symbolically related to some kind of unresolved challenge or unmet need in our waking life. Sort of like wringing out the residue of our subconscious.
Whether or not there’s evidence backing this theory, it’s probably still a good idea to take recurring dreams seriously. According to the Sleep Foundation, adults who experience frequent recurring dreams tend to have worse psychological health than those who do not.
Recurring dreams can also be a symptom of PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). If this is the case, the Sleep Foundation suggests that it might be helpful to find professional support through therapy or counseling. That said, there are other lifestyle changes that can help alleviate recurring dreams, such as exercise, breathing exercises or meditation, as well as developing a solid sleep routine.
Reddit user u/Direct_Conclusion_40 asked the online community to share their own recurring dreams. As odd as they were, many people shared similar images and themes. And while each individual might have their own reason behind those dreams, it’s still cool to think that we all have this imaginary thread connecting us through imaginary experiences. Or at the very least, it’s fun to balk at how weird the human brain is.
Below are 13 odd dreams that people said they repeatedly have:
1. "Having to take an exam and realize I forgot to attend class all semester."
This is so popular it got its own Washington Post article. The experts interviewed suggested that the dream represents being tested in some way, and there's anxiety about not being prepared or measuring up. It's coupled with the strong emotional memories tied to high school. Makes sense.
2. "Frustration. I can never dial the phone, or read the book, or arrive where I'm trying to go, or find what I'm looking for. It doesn't matter what the scenario of the dream is, if I pursue it, it will be unobtainable."
3. "Losing my teeth."
– @DavePaez
Ah, another classic. I was personally interested in this one, as this dream haunts me. Turns out there are several potential reasons—everything from dealing with loss, to concerns about well-being, to a fear of being criticized. Oh, and death. It could mean that.
4. "Finding a new room, or sometimes a whole wing, of my apartment that has somehow been there the whole time without me noticing. Sometimes it has incredible things inside (like an amazing bathtub, or a beautiful mirror, or a carousel horse). It's never exactly the same dream but the theme has been reoccurring for over 30 years."
5. "Not finding a bathroom. The location changes (a mall, or school, or whatever) but I cannot find the bathroom. I’ve been told it’s anxiety."
– @Sea_Tune9183
6. "Being chased."
@sunnyfleur0330 added:
"Before my grandma died when I was younger (12ish), I had a dream about wolves chasing a girl up a mountain. I had this dream all the time, and the day they finally caught her… we got the phone call that my grandma died. It was crazy. I haven’t had that dream since."
7. "Trying to dial 911 and touching only the wrong numbers over and over. While some emergency is going on."
– @ResistantGrey·
8. "For months I would build this monolith and while I’m dreaming I know it’s purpose, what it is. When I awake it’s gone, just memories of the labor. The next night I'd return to a clean slate."
9. "So many of my dreams take place in a sad, dreary shore town somewhere east coast USA. Maybe Jersey/Delaware/Maryland/Virginia. Somewhere there. Always grey outside, chilly, not shore weather. Sad old row homes, a crappy boardwalk with broken rides and crappy shops that sell overpriced souvenirs, a weird airstrip for small private planes, one large building with an Italian restaurant on the top floor. And a giant wave that destroys it sometimes. Not weird at all."
10. "Elevators that won't stop going way up really really fast."
11. "Tornadoes…I'm trying to not get sucked up by one and run but it always catches up. then it gets really hard to see it's pitch black. I see nothing but i hear the loud wind and everything. As i feel debris crashing into me tearing me to shreds till only my consciousness is left of my life before i wake up entirely."
12. "Traveling. Not like going on vacation, but I'm on a train/bus/plane and something stressful happens. Miss my stop, I'm late, forgot my passport etc. One time I dreamed my bags were so heavy I couldn't move them."
– @him37423
And finally...
13. "The same for 30 years. There is a hole in the sky. I know what it is, and tell my family not to look at it. We organize and go about prepping the house for the impending doom. Sometimes looters come to my house and I have to kill them, I normally shoot them. Most of the time my wife gets shot. Sometimes I get shot."
– @ToddHLaew
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.