Difference between revisions of "Keep a Dream Journal"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "== Video ==" to "") |
||
| (7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | Dreams are mysterious. There are a number of theories about why we dream, but no one knows for sure which idea is right, or whether each is right to some degree<ref name="rf1">http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-we-dream/</ref><ref name="rf2">http://phys.org/news/2009-11-important-physiological-function.html</ref><ref name="rf3">http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/scbcdk.pdf</ref>. A dream journal can be a memory-jogger and an incredible source of insight into your inner world. Keeping a dream journal requires some self-discipline but once you're in the habit of keeping one, it's likely to be a long-term source of reassurance and interest. | |
A dream journal is ideal for you if you want to see recurrent patterns in dreams, recall important aspects needing interpretation, or improve your dream recall more generally. Ultimately, it should be a fun exercise and one that helps you to make sense of your subconscious world. Here is how to keep a dream journal, the diary of your inner soul. | A dream journal is ideal for you if you want to see recurrent patterns in dreams, recall important aspects needing interpretation, or improve your dream recall more generally. Ultimately, it should be a fun exercise and one that helps you to make sense of your subconscious world. Here is how to keep a dream journal, the diary of your inner soul. | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Getting Prepared=== | ===Getting Prepared=== | ||
| − | #Find a suitable [[Make a Personalized Journal|journal]].<ref>http://dreamstudies.org/2009/07/30/how-to-keep-a-dream-journal/</ref> There are some pre-made dream journals out there but they are not necessary and in many ways, it's a lot more fun and creative to make your own. The types of things that are helpful to bear in mind when choosing a suitable journal include: | + | #Find a suitable [[Make a Personalized Journal|journal]].<ref name="rf4">http://dreamstudies.org/2009/07/30/how-to-keep-a-dream-journal/</ref> There are some pre-made dream journals out there but they are not necessary and in many ways, it's a lot more fun and creative to make your own. The types of things that are helpful to bear in mind when choosing a suitable journal include: |
#*Length: Are you planning on recording your dreams for a year [[Keep a Journal|journal]], or a shorter or longer amount of time? Think about how detailed you want your entries to be each night; this plus the length of time you aim to record your dreams for will indicate the length of journal that you need. | #*Length: Are you planning on recording your dreams for a year [[Keep a Journal|journal]], or a shorter or longer amount of time? Think about how detailed you want your entries to be each night; this plus the length of time you aim to record your dreams for will indicate the length of journal that you need. | ||
#*Ability to move the pages around: If you want to be able to sort pages into themes (for example, "Recurrent Dreams", "Dreams about dogs"), etc., then it might be helpful to use a looseleaf notebook that lets you reshuffle the pages easily. Use a quality [[Decorate Your School Binder|binder]] to keep such a looseleaf journal intact. | #*Ability to move the pages around: If you want to be able to sort pages into themes (for example, "Recurrent Dreams", "Dreams about dogs"), etc., then it might be helpful to use a looseleaf notebook that lets you reshuffle the pages easily. Use a quality [[Decorate Your School Binder|binder]] to keep such a looseleaf journal intact. | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
#*Consider finding a tin, [[Build a Study Basket|basket]], or other storage item for your dream journal and markers. This allows you to keep all the things needed sitting neatly and ready for use at any time. | #*Consider finding a tin, [[Build a Study Basket|basket]], or other storage item for your dream journal and markers. This allows you to keep all the things needed sitting neatly and ready for use at any time. | ||
#*Consider using a travel cover or protective case for your journal if you travel a lot and want to take your dream journal with you wherever you go. | #*Consider using a travel cover or protective case for your journal if you travel a lot and want to take your dream journal with you wherever you go. | ||
| − | #Make physical space for your dream journal.<ref | + | #Make physical space for your dream journal.<ref name="rf4" /> A dream journal is best written upon waking up, so the best place for keeping it is next to your bedside. The problem with rummaging for something to write on is that you're likely to forget your dream in the meantime, so make sure you can easily reach your dream journal! |
#*If you have it in a container like a tin or a basket, it can be easily moved about and into a drawer or cupboard space when cleaning or to keep away from prying eyes. | #*If you have it in a container like a tin or a basket, it can be easily moved about and into a drawer or cupboard space when cleaning or to keep away from prying eyes. | ||
#*Another good idea is to keep a book reading light by your bedside. If you wake up in the middle of the night and feel compelled to write down a dream, an easily accessible light will enable you to do this before forgetting the dream. | #*Another good idea is to keep a book reading light by your bedside. If you wake up in the middle of the night and feel compelled to write down a dream, an easily accessible light will enable you to do this before forgetting the dream. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
#*See wikiHow's [[:Category:Dreams|many dream articles]] for ideas on having, controlling, and influencing your dreaming. | #*See wikiHow's [[:Category:Dreams|many dream articles]] for ideas on having, controlling, and influencing your dreaming. | ||
#*It's a good idea to use a beeping or ringing alarm rather than a radio or music alarm. The talking or singing might distract you from remembering the contents of your dream. If you're fine with [[Wake Up Without an Alarm Clock|waking up without an alarm]], that's even better and a lot more peaceful. | #*It's a good idea to use a beeping or ringing alarm rather than a radio or music alarm. The talking or singing might distract you from remembering the contents of your dream. If you're fine with [[Wake Up Without an Alarm Clock|waking up without an alarm]], that's even better and a lot more peaceful. | ||
| − | #Write down your dreams. Upon awakening, begin recording your dreams. If you can, hold off on visiting the bathroom until the dreams are recorded because any interruption between [[Wake Up in the Middle of the Night|waking]] and recording can lose the dream, or its principal points and edginess. With more experience and practice, you may find this isn't such a problem and recall becomes easier but for the beginner, the fewer distractions the better.<ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-freedom/201104/tap-the-power-your-dreams-remembering-and-interpreting-their-life </ref> | + | #Write down your dreams. Upon awakening, begin recording your dreams. If you can, hold off on visiting the bathroom until the dreams are recorded because any interruption between [[Wake Up in the Middle of the Night|waking]] and recording can lose the dream, or its principal points and edginess. With more experience and practice, you may find this isn't such a problem and recall becomes easier but for the beginner, the fewer distractions the better.<ref name="rf5">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-freedom/201104/tap-the-power-your-dreams-remembering-and-interpreting-their-life </ref> |
| − | #*Record everything that you can remember. At first it can be difficult to work out what to write down and to distinguish thoughts that may be creeping into your awoken mind from memories about your dreams. With practice though, you'll soon be able to recall the things that the dream has told you. Include characters, symbols, colors, textures, feelings, actions (such as [[Fly in Your Dreams|flying]] or swimming), interactions with other beings, shapes, and anything else that the dream raised.<ref>http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-analyze-your-dreams-and-why-its-important/</ref> | + | #*Record everything that you can remember. At first it can be difficult to work out what to write down and to distinguish thoughts that may be creeping into your awoken mind from memories about your dreams. With practice though, you'll soon be able to recall the things that the dream has told you. Include characters, symbols, colors, textures, feelings, actions (such as [[Fly in Your Dreams|flying]] or swimming), interactions with other beings, shapes, and anything else that the dream raised.<ref name="rf6">http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-analyze-your-dreams-and-why-its-important/</ref> |
#*Think of some [[Describe a Smell|adjectives]] to describe the most vivid and pressing images and feelings that the dream brings about in you. For example, if you dreamed about a house on fire, you might write: "terrifying, exciting, and red hot burning house", with your feelings being "afraid, panicking, curious". | #*Think of some [[Describe a Smell|adjectives]] to describe the most vivid and pressing images and feelings that the dream brings about in you. For example, if you dreamed about a house on fire, you might write: "terrifying, exciting, and red hot burning house", with your feelings being "afraid, panicking, curious". | ||
| − | #*Some dream journal writers like to [[:Category:Drawing|draw]] images or use different colors to express different emotions or themes in a dream. (Colors themselves can be an important part of dream interpretation.)<ref | + | #*Some dream journal writers like to [[:Category:Drawing|draw]] images or use different colors to express different emotions or themes in a dream. (Colors themselves can be an important part of dream interpretation.)<ref name="rf6" /> |
#Write freely. Don't try to form a narrative as you are jotting down the contents of your dream. Just focus on getting down all the information you can recall as quickly as possible before the details of your dream fade from memory. You can deal with forming a narrative, and interpreting your dream, later. | #Write freely. Don't try to form a narrative as you are jotting down the contents of your dream. Just focus on getting down all the information you can recall as quickly as possible before the details of your dream fade from memory. You can deal with forming a narrative, and interpreting your dream, later. | ||
#Learn when to stop. The dream journal isn't a marathon and few people have all morning to lie around writing in a journal. The best approach is to go with the dream or two that really seems most powerful or enduring for you. After the first dream or two, it's likely you'll be getting hazier in your recollection anyway, and it's best to write down the most vivid recollections above all because they're likely to be the ones with the most resonance and [[Find Meaning in Life|meaning]] for you. | #Learn when to stop. The dream journal isn't a marathon and few people have all morning to lie around writing in a journal. The best approach is to go with the dream or two that really seems most powerful or enduring for you. After the first dream or two, it's likely you'll be getting hazier in your recollection anyway, and it's best to write down the most vivid recollections above all because they're likely to be the ones with the most resonance and [[Find Meaning in Life|meaning]] for you. | ||
#Name each dream. It's a good habit to get into naming your dreams. In reducing each dream to a title, try to capture the main feeling or theme behind it. It's an easy way for you to find the dream again for future reference and it's also a neat way of [[Write a Good Summary for a Book Report|summarizing]] your general reaction to the dream. | #Name each dream. It's a good habit to get into naming your dreams. In reducing each dream to a title, try to capture the main feeling or theme behind it. It's an easy way for you to find the dream again for future reference and it's also a neat way of [[Write a Good Summary for a Book Report|summarizing]] your general reaction to the dream. | ||
| − | #Review your progress. Initially, it might be difficult to remember enough of a dream to write more than a few lines. Persevere because with practice, it becomes easier to remember more and more elements of the dream until it becomes a [[Stay Motivated in Keeping a Good Habit|habit]]. Therefore it's important to persist with writing in your dream journal every morning even if you think you had a bland or uneventful dream. Sometimes those dreams are telling in themselves and sometimes in writing them down, you realize that they weren't so pointless after all.<ref | + | #Review your progress. Initially, it might be difficult to remember enough of a dream to write more than a few lines. Persevere because with practice, it becomes easier to remember more and more elements of the dream until it becomes a [[Stay Motivated in Keeping a Good Habit|habit]]. Therefore it's important to persist with writing in your dream journal every morning even if you think you had a bland or uneventful dream. Sometimes those dreams are telling in themselves and sometimes in writing them down, you realize that they weren't so pointless after all.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #Begin [[Interpret Your Dreams|interpreting]]. If you don't wish to start interpreting at the beginning, that's fine. Just getting used to recording dreams is a new learning curve and getting the dreams down initially is the important part. You can always return later and record the interpretation, provided you've added some key feeling words with the dream. In time, it's a good idea to start interpreting the dream using dream interpretation knowledge you've learned from books, online sites, and your own [[Follow Your Intuition|intuition]]. Some things will be more obvious than others, but give it a good go.<ref | + | #Begin [[Interpret Your Dreams|interpreting]]. If you don't wish to start interpreting at the beginning, that's fine. Just getting used to recording dreams is a new learning curve and getting the dreams down initially is the important part. You can always return later and record the interpretation, provided you've added some key feeling words with the dream. In time, it's a good idea to start interpreting the dream using dream interpretation knowledge you've learned from books, online sites, and your own [[Follow Your Intuition|intuition]]. Some things will be more obvious than others, but give it a good go.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#* Sometimes the meaning of a dream might not become clear until you've realized it's recurring and that there is something happening in your life that you might need to pay closer attention to. Indeed, the more important messages tend to repeat as a way of getting through to you. | #* Sometimes the meaning of a dream might not become clear until you've realized it's recurring and that there is something happening in your life that you might need to pay closer attention to. Indeed, the more important messages tend to repeat as a way of getting through to you. | ||
#*Read [[Interpret Your Dreams|How to interpret your dreams]] for more information on how to interpret dreams. | #*Read [[Interpret Your Dreams|How to interpret your dreams]] for more information on how to interpret dreams. | ||
| − | #Personalize your dream journal. Ultimately how you use and manage your dream journal is a personal thing and it's up to you to make of it what you will. If you find that any of the suggestions offered here aren't working for you but other ways do, by all means incorporate your ways into keeping the dream journal. Use whatever makes most sense and works best for you.<ref>http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-analyze-your-dreams-and-why-its-important/ </ref> | + | #Personalize your dream journal. Ultimately how you use and manage your dream journal is a personal thing and it's up to you to make of it what you will. If you find that any of the suggestions offered here aren't working for you but other ways do, by all means incorporate your ways into keeping the dream journal. Use whatever makes most sense and works best for you.<ref name="rf7">http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-analyze-your-dreams-and-why-its-important/ </ref> |
#[[:Category:Travel|Travel]] with your dream journal. Keep your dream journal with you when you travel or take a vacation. If you don't want to take your main journal for fear of losing it, compile a lightweight travel version that can be inserted into the other journal when you return home. Or, keep electronic notes when away; whatever works for you. What is important is to keep the process going, especially since travel can spark completely different kinds of dreams and awaken new [[Understand and Develop Insight|insights]] into yourself, something you certainly don't want to miss! | #[[:Category:Travel|Travel]] with your dream journal. Keep your dream journal with you when you travel or take a vacation. If you don't want to take your main journal for fear of losing it, compile a lightweight travel version that can be inserted into the other journal when you return home. Or, keep electronic notes when away; whatever works for you. What is important is to keep the process going, especially since travel can spark completely different kinds of dreams and awaken new [[Understand and Develop Insight|insights]] into yourself, something you certainly don't want to miss! | ||
#*Travel or change of location can also bring about memories of dreams you've already had, filling in the gaps so to speak. Use this opportunity to write them down and add to previous dreams. | #*Travel or change of location can also bring about memories of dreams you've already had, filling in the gaps so to speak. Use this opportunity to write them down and add to previous dreams. | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
