How to Write a Dream Diary

Dreams hide many mysteries. While there have been a number of theories about why we dream, no one can say for sure which idea is correct or to what extent each idea is true. ^{[1] X Research Sources}^{[2] X Research Resources}^{[3] X Research Resources} Dream journals can be a great memory and source of information about your inner world. Keeping a dream diary requires self-discipline. However, once a habit is formed, it will be a source of inspiration and peace of mind in the long run.

Dream diary is ideal for those who want to have recurring dreams, dream re-enactments in general or important details that need to be understood. In the end, it will be an interesting experience that helps you better understand the subconscious world. Here’s how to write a dream diary, a diary of the soul.

Table of Contents

Ready

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Find the right logbook. ^{[4] X Research Resources} There are loads of pre-designed dream diaries but they are not strictly necessary and self-designed is more creative and interesting. Things to keep in mind when choosing the right journal include:

Length: How long do you plan to record the dream, a year, longer or shorter? Consider the desired granularity of each article – along with the intended log retention period, this will determine the length of your diary.
Ability to organize pages: If you want to organize the pages into each topic (such as “Dream Repeat”, “Dream about dogs”,…), the removable cover allows easy change site location is a good choice for you. Use a quality cover to keep the book well.
Quick note: The ability to add what you’ve written elsewhere can be just as important. Make sure the journal has enough room to insert a few more pieces of paper…
Don’t forget the matching crayons. If you want to use different colors for distinct themes or duplicate interpretations, don’t forget to consider them when buying crayons.
Consider using a box, basket, or other storage medium for your diary and pens. As a result, everything you need is neatly stored and ready to use.
Consider a travel case or protective case if you travel a lot and want your diary with you, wherever you go.

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Arrange a place for a dream diary. ^{[5] X Research Source} Probably, the best time to keep a dream diary is when you first wake up. Therefore, right next to the bed will be the best position. The biggest problem with reproducing memories to write is that you’ll most likely forget about your own dream right then and there. So make sure your diary is always within reach!

If you have a container like a box or basket, you can easily move or store it in a drawer or closet when cleaning and hide from prying eyes.
Placing a reading light next to the bed is also a good idea. If you wake up in the middle of the night and feel the urge to write again, an immediate light source will make it possible for you to do so before the dream fades.
If you choose to narrate and record with a music player, make sure that’s convenient and that the log file is well organized and backed up regularly. Having a spare battery with you is also useful in case you need it urgently and forget to turn it off in the evening.

Recording and Interpreting Your Dreams

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Dream. Use the usual way to sleep and dream. Reminding yourself that you plan to journal your dreams in the morning, and for that, subconsciously trying to remember the dream can help.

Check out wikiHow’s many dream articles to get ideas about dreaming, controlling, and influencing your dreams.
Alarming by ringing or beeping instead of using radio or music is a good idea. Voices or singing can distract your mind and make you forget the content of the dream. Waking up without a timer is even better and more peaceful.

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Rewrite the dream. As soon as you wake up, start recording your dreams. If possible, go to the bathroom only after the dream has been recorded as any interruption can cause the dream, or important and key points to fade. Once you get used to it and have more experience, this may no longer be a problem and the re-enactment of the dream becomes easier. However, for starters, the less distractions the better. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Record everything you can remember. At first, deciding what to write about and analyzing the thoughts that may creep into the mind from the memory of dreams may not be easy. However, with time, you will soon be able to re-enact the message of your dreams. These include characters, symbols, colors, emotions, actions (such as flying or swimming), interactions with others, bodies, or anything in a dream. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Find a few adjectives to describe the most vivid and impressive images and emotions that come from dreams. For example, if you dreamed of a house in a sea of fire, you could write: “the house burns red, intense and terrifying”, with the emotion of “afraid, afraid, curious”.
Some people like to draw pictures or use colors to express different emotions or themes of each dream (Color itself can be an important part of dream interpretation). ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Free writing. Don’t fixate on a story when recording the content of your dream. Just focus on writing down all the information you can remember as quickly as possible before the details fade into memory. Storytelling and dream interpretation can wait.

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Know when to stop. Dream Diary is not a marathon and only a few spend the morning keeping a diary. The best way is to choose one or two dreams that are most impressive or impactful. Anyway, after recording the first one or two dreams, your memories will become hazy and therefore it is advisable to choose the most vivid dreams as they have the greatest meaning and resonance to you.

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Name each dream. Naming dreams is a good habit. When you title your dream, try to include the main emotion or theme in it. As a result, it becomes easier to find the dream again and at the same time, the overall reaction to the dream is summed up.

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Review your process. At first, just remembering enough to write down more than a few lines can be difficult. Be persistent because the more you write, the more details are reproduced more easily until it becomes a habit. Therefore, it is very important to consistently keep a dream journal every morning, even if it is a dull, indistinct dream. Sometimes, those dreams have their own story, and it’s only when you record them that you realize that in the end, they weren’t meaningless. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Start interpreting the dream. It’s perfectly fine not to start interpreting right at the start. Dream recording is a new skill and an important part. You can always go back and paraphrase later if some key emotional words have been included in the dream description. Then, start interpreting the dream with knowledge from books, online websites, and your own intuition. Not everything is obvious but do your best. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Sometimes the dream meaning doesn’t become clear until you realize the overlap and it seems like there’s something going on in your life that needs more attention. The fact is, the more important messages tend to repeat themselves in order to reach you. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Read the article on dream interpretation to know more about interpreting your dreams.

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Personalize your dream diary. Ultimately, how to use and manage the diary is a personal matter and depends on your preferences. If you feel that all of the suggestions here are not appropriate and there is another way that is more appropriate, incorporate your own method of dream journaling. Use whatever makes sense and works best for you. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Move with the dream diary. Keep a diary with you when you’re on vacation or on the go. If you’re afraid of losing it and don’t want to bring the main diary with you, use the compact travel version that can be inserted into the main diary upon return. Or, use an electronic diary while away, if that works for you. It’s important to keep a journal, especially as going away can lead to completely different dreams and awaken new feelings in you, and of course, you won’t want to miss them!

Moving or changing places can also bring back memories of the dreams you had, filling in the gaps. Use that to rewrite and add to your list of worthwhile dreams.

Advice

Always keep diaries and writing instruments fixed by the bed, within reach.
If you move too much in the morning to do things like brush your teeth or prepare breakfast in advance, the memory of the dream may become blurred and disappear.
Resist the urge to share personal dreams. While some truly “understand” the interpretation and purpose of dreams, many are completely uninterested in them or feel your individual dreams are too receptive. Keep them to yourself and nurture your inner self as a journey through life.
If you have some free time during the day and your dream journal with you, leave space under the title so you can draw an illustration. This is very useful if you are a person who loves to draw, draw in your spare time or are running out of ideas.
Buy a set of dream readings. This deck has symbols and images to help you discover the meaning of your own dreams. They can also give you ideas on how to stay calm in difficult situations.

Warning

If you have a dream about dying, for example, don’t think that it means you are going to die. It could be a sign of fatigue and feeling like you’re dying. At the same time, death can also be the letting go of a part of yourself or something in life that is holding you back. It can also indicate that you are ready to enter a new phase in your life.
If you feel like you’re in the dream “exhaustion” stage, be patient. Sometimes, external factors such as stress, medications, stimulants, lack of sleep, or other REM (rapid eye movement) disruptors are the cause. Sometimes it shows that you need a short break to rejuvenate your creativity. Worry less about it. Once there are no more stressful externalities, the dreams will return.
Scientists still do not understand or agree on the function of dreams. So, although dream interpretations can be interesting, use caution and rationality when relying on them to make important decisions.

Things you need

A dream diary
Pen or crayon
Reading lamp
Something to lean on (optional)

Steps

Ready

Recording and Interpreting Your Dreams

Advice

Warning

Things you need

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