How to keep a dream journal

When you wake up in the middle of the night after having a great or scary dream, you tell yourself that you absolutely have to tell it to someone later. Except that every other time, by the next day, we have forgotten it. Writing down your dreams can be an interesting and cheap way to know a side of you that may want to tell you some truths.  

1) The material to note your dreams

To keep a dream journal, you need to have a notebook or loose sheets of paper on a stand; a pencil or a pen, and a low-light lamp. This makes it easier to go back to sleep after writing down the dream and does not disturb those around you.

It should be noted that younger people like to use their phones or tablets. It is simply necessary, before falling asleep, to lower the brightness of the device as much as possible. Others record voice messages to themselves. Whatever works.

2) How to keep a dream journal: save the date

Write down the date of the next entry after you make one. This way, you don’t have to worry about the day when you wake up in the morning and can just write down your dream. Some dream journalers like to write down the next day’s date immediately after recording their last dream; others prefer to write it down the night before as a preparation ritual.

3) Every detail counts

When you keep a dream journal, try to write down the place where your dream takes place, as well as the time of the dream: if it takes place during the day or at night, if time flows normally or if there are temporal or spatial breaks.

Also write down whether you are the character in your dreams, whether you are yourself or someone else, or whether you are observing your dream as a spectator. Write down the actions, the course of the dream, everything that happens in it, as well as the feelings you have.

4) How to keep a dream journal: name your dreams

Give each dream a name. This is a good habit to get into when learning how to keep a dream journal. By reducing each dream to a name, try to capture the main impression or theme behind it.

This is a great way to know yourself. If you are experiencing dreams or sleep problems, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.