Sleeping on what dreams can mean

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I have been having recurring dreams that involve some aspect of my home. Sometimes I dream that my home is so cluttered that I am relentlessly cleaning. Other times I dream that I’m frantically trying to flush a parade of wild animals down the toilet. The best is when I unexpectedly find that my drawers are filled with money. Can you tell me what this means?

Instead of interpreting your dreams, I can give you a way to look at these and future dreams to better understand what they could mean in your life. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of ways to look at dreams, and many different approaches, and my way is just one.

Generally speaking

Dreams usually tell the past or present, but not the future. In my experience, every dream is about the person dreaming it. Most dreams will either reveal insight about a current situation or challenge, or bring forth suppressed emotions from our subconscious for processing.

I have found the most benefit in understanding my dreams by using symbology because the subconscious mind brings forth in our dreams situations that represent what is actually happening in our life.

Looking at your dream

When your home plays a central or key part in your dreams, ask yourself what your home represents to you. What is its significance? The home typically can represent the physical body, the mind, thoughts, security, foundation, family or one’s private life. No interpretation is right or wrong because it is personal to you. What resonates with you?

A cluttered home could represent your guilt about cluttering your body with an overabundance of junk food or it could mean that your mind is filled with unimportant things that you want to get rid of but haven’t.

Animals can represent what you feel about the nature of the particular animals. When you dream of many tame, loving, loyal or supportive animals, it can symbolize that you feel supported.

If your dreams are of wild or scary animals, you may be feeling insecure or unsure about something. Flushing animals down the toilet could represent getting rid of a feeling you don’t want. What do you think about animals?

Money usually represents value of some sort. When one finds unexpected money in a dream, it can represent hidden value or signify that what is happening in dream, heed the action or feeling to give you insight into the symbol. Are you running from or to something? What are you trying to accomplish? How do you feel when you are in the dream? Emotions are important. Are you frustrated, angry, scared, happy or excited? The answers can give you keys to the meaning of any dream you might have.

Do you have a question for Alice? If so, send it to alice@yourhappinessu.com. Alice Inoue owns Happiness U, a lifestyle studio located at SALT Kakaako where anyone can find positive inspiration and high-level guidance to minimize stress and optimize modern day life! YourHappinessU.com.