Dreams have always been a subject of fascination and curiosity for people throughout history. Since ancient times, attempts have been made to interpret them. As Freud said, dreams are the “royal road” to the unconscious. But how do we get on this road? When we sleep, our brain processes daytime information, as well as those conflicts and emotions that may be hidden from our consciousness. And by studying our dreams, we can gain insight into what is bothering us. The content of a dream always relates to the main conflicts that are currently playing out in our lives. Sleep is like a layer cake: these layers can be opened one by one. However, there is no clear answer to the question of what a dream means: despite the fact that there are universal symbols that we all fill with similar meanings, the dream of a specific person can only be understood through the dreamer himself. It is believed that there is a period when we can better understand our dreams. This period is the time between sleep and wakefulness, when we just open our eyes. This is a kind of gate between the unconscious, the repository of all our desires, experiences, affects and memories, and the conscious. During this sensitive period between sleep and wakefulness, it is easier for us to bridge the gap between the parts of our psyche. Being in a state similar to a dream, we can more clearly recall some of its details. We can also analyze them more effectively when we are between sleep and reality: better understanding the symbols and metaphors our dreams use to communicate with us are the keys to unlocking the meaning of our dreams. So when you wake up, turn your attention to the dream, then take a notepad and write down as many details as possible. Pay attention to the images, people and emotions that appear in your dreams. A dream can reveal different aspects of your psyche: a dream can be interpreted in different dimensions. The same dream may seem to reflect our outer reality, but at the same time it can also represent our inner world and emotions. In therapy, dreams can also have a relational dimension, reflecting what is happening in the therapeutic relationship. The dream can simultaneously be about difficulties at work, and about a mother who demanded and never praised, and about different parts of the “I” - a formidable inner parent and a disobedient child. A few more recommendations: 1. Keep a dream diary.2. Look for patterns in your dreams. Are there recurring themes or symbols? Do you have similar dreams at different times in your life? These patterns can give you clues about what it's all about.3. Pay attention to your emotions in your sleep. Do you feel happy, sad, anxious or afraid? Your emotions can give you clues about the hidden meanings of your dreams.4. Don't forget about external reality. Think about how your dreams relate to your waking life. Are there events or situations in your life that could influence the content of your dream? It is not necessary to analyze your dreams, and without analysis their presence in itself is very important; the ability to dream is a criterion for a sufficient ability to mentalize. That is, seeing dreams means that the psyche is coping and is carrying out mental processing. But by exploring our dreams, we can understand their meaning and meanings hidden from ourselves, reveal the secrets of our subconscious, which will help us better understand ourselves, come to greater awareness and personal growth. So the next time you wake up, take a moment to think about what your dream is trying to tell you. I invite you to therapy - a joint path to “decoding” dreams, to a deeper understanding of yourself and your actions. You can sign up for a consultation by sending a WhatsApp message to +7 (916) 846-82-45 or through the “consultation” tab on the website.