For a while, I had this recurring nightmare that really shook me up. In the dream, I was lying in bed, asleep. I’d hear the back door open, and at first, I’d think, “Oh, my husband must’ve forgotten something.” But then I’d open my eyes and see this man standing in my bedroom doorway. He had a gray curly beard, wore a plaid shirt and overalls, and was holding an axe. Terrified, I’d close my eyes, hoping he’d leave. When I opened one eye again, he’d be standing over me, about to cut my neck with the axe. That’s when I’d wake up in real life, screaming, but completely unable to move.
What’s interesting is that this nightmare only happened when we lived in the first house my husband and I bought. Any ideas on what it could mean?
This dream seems to blend themes of vulnerability, safety, and unresolved fears, amplified by its setting in your first home. The man with the axe likely symbolizes a perceived threat—whether external (like financial pressures or the new responsibility of owning a home) or internal (fear of change, self-doubt, or repressed anxieties). His lumberjack-like appearance and weapon might represent something primal or forceful trying to “cut through” your sense of security.
The act of waking up screaming but unable to move suggests sleep paralysis, where the brain partially wakes while the body remains immobilized. Sleep paralysis can make nightmares feel more vivid and terrifying.
That this dream only occurred in your first home may tie it to stress or emotional weight associated with that space—like the challenges of a new life phase. Consider reflecting on whether anything specific about that home or period in your life felt overwhelming or unsafe. Grounding exercises or creating a comforting bedtime routine may help reduce the chances of similar dreams recurring.
