posted September 08, 2005 07:38 PM         

For a few years now I have had this recurring theme in my dreams that I am staying away from home (either on holiday with my family or back at school on a field trip).
In my dream, I always wake up late knowing I have only have about 30 minutes to pack my suitcase and be out before the new people arrive... only it's not as simple as just packing a few clothes away. I suddenly discover hidden drawers and cupboards with even more stuff and by the end of the dream, I am usually in the kitchen fraught with anxiety as I keep my eye on the clock and try to pack up pot and pans and the salt and pepper. What starts off as a holiday turns into a full on "pack up the house" move. I never finish in time and feel awful at leaving stuff behind and the place in disarray.

These dreams started when I moved house in reality 3 years ago. For some reason, I just can't get the stress of all that packing out of my head. I am always very anxious and in a frenzy in these dreams and time always catches me out.

Any ideas?

posted September 10, 2005 04:44 AM         

So this dream is associated with anxiety, stress, and disarray, and I am willing to bet that you have this dream when things are out of order or overwhelming in your waking life, when you are feeling anxiety and stress.

Sometimes recurring dreams like these can be helpful. They can call our attention to an issue that we may not be consciously aware is causing stress/anxiety. So when you have the dream, look out! Something's bugging you - you may just not know much.

Does that make sense?