How many times have you had a dream where you are being chased and you woke up with your heart pounding, all sweaty and maybe even worried? Don't worry, you're not alone! Dreams about being chased are among the most common and reoccur for many people. But what do these dreams mean? Is something happening in your real life that is making you feel this way? Let's take a look at the meaning of such dreams.
Why do you dream that you are being followed?
According to dream analysis experts, dreams where you feel chased are often not related to a literal threat, but more to feelings, situations or problems you are avoiding. These dreams are a reflection of what is going on inside you, in your mind and feelings, even if you are not fully aware of them. Lauri Loewenberg, a well-known expert on dream analysis, says that when you dream that you are being followed, it is often a sign that you are avoiding a problem in your daily life that needs your attention.
Instead of facing the problem, you are "running" away from it, and that is why dreams that someone is following you are so common and often recur. This is a message from your subconscious that something needs to be resolved and that avoidance is not the answer.
The most common interpretations of dreams where you are being followed
There are several common scenarios that can appear in your dreams where you are being chased, and each one has a certain meaning. Here are some possible interpretations:
Someone chasing you with a knife: This could symbolize that you are avoiding cutting someone out of your life. Maybe you are afraid to make difficult decisions in your relationships.
Being chased by someone with a gun: This scenario indicates that you feel under a lot of pressure or "targeted". It can be a symbol of stress from criticism or pressure from someone who is influencing you.
A dog haunts you: In our dreams, dogs often represent our loved ones. If a dog is chasing you, it is likely that a relationship or friendship is causing you stress and you are avoiding resolution.
Being followed by a snake: This symbol usually indicates a toxic person that you are trying to avoid in your life. Snakes are often associated with feelings of infidelity or deception.
Chasing a shark: Creatures with big mouths and strong teeth often symbolize someone in your life who has a harsh tongue or comments that "slice" you. If you do not cope with this person, he will "swallow" you emotionally.
Why do these dreams recur?
If you keep dreaming of the same scenario where you are being followed, then it is very likely that you are experiencing a recurring situation in your real life. Loewenberg explains that these dreams usually occur when we exhibit avoidance behavior toward a problem or a conflict.
Basically, whenever you choose to "run away" from a challenge instead of facing it, the dream will come back to remind you that you are constantly avoiding a responsibility. This is a call to face the problem and solve it instead of continuing to ignore it.
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