My dad passed away seven years ago, and at the time, it deeply affected me. In recent years, though, I haven’t dreamed about him much. But for the past few weeks, I’ve been dreaming about him almost every other night. Most of the dreams I’ve forgotten, but the ones I remember from the past few nights were striking:
In one dream, he asked to see my test scores, but I kept hiding them from him. This dream was long and elaborate, with me coming up with all sorts of schemes to keep him from seeing my scores. I come from an Asian family, and I had a poor result on a school leaving exam that I hid from him. In the dream, he eventually found out, and his disappointment and hurt were palpable.
Another dream was more of a vivid childhood memory where my dad and I went out to get cake when I was around 8 years old. It’s one of the few vivid memories I have from my childhood with him. But in the dream, I was scared during the experience, even though in reality it was a happy moment.
These dreams seem fairly straightforward, but I can’t help but wonder why I’ve been dreaming about my dad so frequently lately. What could these dreams mean, especially when they are based on real experiences but are far more intense and convoluted in the dream world?
Dreaming about a loved one who’s passed away can reflect unresolved emotions, memories, or longings for closure. In your case, the dreams involving your dad might indicate a subconscious attempt to process feelings of guilt, fear, or even longing for connection, especially since you’ve had such an impactful relationship with him. The dream about hiding your test scores could reflect lingering feelings of inadequacy or fear of disappointing him, while the cake memory might be connected to your desire to revisit simpler, happier times. The intensity and complexity of the dreams could point to deeper emotions and thoughts about your relationship with your dad and how it continues to influence you as you navigate adulthood.
Dreams about your dad, especially after a long period without them, often signify an emotional need or unresolved feelings surfacing. The dream of hiding your test scores may reflect lingering guilt or anxiety tied to expectations and the pressure to meet them, a theme common in many families. Meanwhile, the dream of the cake memory, though initially happy, becoming fearful might point to a mix of nostalgia and deeper fears or insecurities tied to those memories.
The sudden frequency of these dreams could suggest you’re processing unresolved emotions or reevaluating your relationship with him as part of your personal growth. Have recent life events or challenges brought him to mind? This could help clarify the connection.
