Rediscovering the Power of Dreams: Turning Imagination into Reality

This week, I want to dive into the power of dreaming—an ability that we often overlook in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Dreaming isn't just a whimsical pastime; it's the foundation of all meaningful change. It opens doors to possibilities, motivates us, and helps us envision the life we truly want to live.

Why do we sometimes stop dreaming? Why do many of us lose that creative spark as we step into adulthood? Society often encourages us to focus only on what’s practical or "realistic," dismissing dreams as childish or unrealistic. However, I firmly believe that we cannot manifest what we don’t first envision. If you can't picture what you want in life, it's hard to move towards it.

Why We Forget to Dream

It’s common for people to focus so much on what they don’t want that they lose sight of what they do want. During coaching sessions, I often ask my clients what they want from a situation, only to be met with silence or uncertainty. When I ask them to imagine their ideal outcome—what it would look like, feel like, or how their life would change—they often struggle to picture it.

Many people get so caught up in daily obligations that they forget to dream of a life that makes them feel fulfilled. Yet, our dreams fuel our actions. They give us direction, purpose, and motivation. Even I find myself in need of reminders to dream at times, which is why I wanted to explore this topic.

Why Don’t We Dream?

If you've stopped dreaming or find it difficult to dream, it’s important to reflect on why that might be. For some, dreaming feels like a waste of time, while others are afraid that if they dream, they’ll face the fear of failure. Recently, a client shared something that stuck with me: "I’m afraid to even dare to dream because what if it doesn’t come true?"

This fear can be deeply rooted. Maybe we set the bar too high and don’t believe we can reach it. Or perhaps we want everything to turn out exactly as we’ve envisioned, but life rarely works that way. Flexibility is key when turning dreams into reality.

For some, the fear isn’t about failing to achieve the dream but rather about what happens if they succeed. What would they do then? Would they lose their sense of purpose? These are questions worth exploring.

But as Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

There’s also this to consider: dreaming is, in a way, preparing to face disappointment. Isn’t it?Maybe dreaming takes courage. After all, when you dream, you confront your true self, your desires, and what brings you joy. Dreaming can be a way of figuring out what you really want, what fulfills you, and what makes you happy. But if you're living a life far removed from what you desire, then confronting the gap between your dream life and reality can feel heavy.

For some, dreaming serves as a roadmap to creating the life they want, helping them outline steps and define goals. For others, though, it highlights the painful distance between their current life and the life they wish they had, leading to feelings of being stuck. Recognizing this distinction is crucial. And if you’re aware of this but struggling to take action, reaching out to a professional can help bridge that gap.

Why do I mention this? There’s a fascinating study that really struck me.

In 2014, a study at the University of Virginia gave participants two options: either sit alone with their thoughts or receive an electric shock. Surprisingly, 67% of the men and 25% of the women preferred the shock over sitting with their own thoughts! Isn’t that incredible? Now, given that overthinking seems to be a pastime for many women, that 25% might make some sense. But for 67% of men to say, "Shock me instead of thinking"? Wow. This is why it’s important to have some understanding of where our minds might wander.

The Science Behind Dreaming

Let’s also look at what happens in our brains when we dream. There’s a reason I emphasize dreaming so much, and science backs it up. Dreaming and creativity often go hand in hand. You may have heard the term "mind wandering," which refers to letting your thoughts roam freely. It sounds like a poetic way to describe daydreaming, doesn’t it?

There’s a recent study by Julia Kam and her team at Calgary University. They monitored brain activity as participants engaged in a boring task and reported what they were thinking about. Some participants were focused on problems, like arguing with their spouse or work issues. Others reported letting their minds wander—thinking about a future vacation or reminiscing about an old romance.

Kam’s team found that mind wandering led to distinct brain patterns. Notably, when participants let their thoughts wander freely, rather than focusing on solving a problem, there was an increase in alpha waves in the prefrontal cortex—associated with creative thinking. Essentially, letting your mind drift fosters creativity and allows you to approach problems from new angles.

Another study supports this, showing that daydreaming enhances creative problem-solving skills. Daily fantasies and meaningful thoughts are linked to more creative ideas and inspired emotions.

Author and neuroscientist Caroline Leaf explains in her book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, that dreaming is like a mental reset. When you dream, your brain rests, clears mental clutter, and forms new connections.

Florida University’s psychology professor Erin Westgate also found that dreaming helps combat boredom and regulate aggressive behaviors.

And one final study (I promise!) found that when workers take short daydreaming breaks during the day, they return to their tasks with fewer mistakes and greater focus. I’m not entirely convinced this would work for everyone—my productivity might take a hit—but I’m definitely going to give it a try!

How to Start Dreaming Again

If you’ve found it difficult to dream lately, you’re not alone. Life’s challenges often push us into survival mode, where we focus only on what’s necessary. But there are ways to reignite your dreaming abilities:

1. Create Lists of Inspiring Thoughts: Write down topics or ideas that excite you. It could be a project you want to start, a new skill you’d love to learn, or a place you want to visit. Keep these thoughts visible and allow yourself time to daydream about them.
2. Vision Boards: Visualising your dreams through a vision board can be powerful. Gather images or words that represent your goals, and place them somewhere you see regularly. This keeps your dreams at the forefront of your mind.
3. Reflect on What You Want: When overwhelmed, think about what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Try not to let past failures or daily stresses cloud your imagination. Focus on what could be, not what has been.
4. Set Time for Dreaming: Dedicate time during your day to let your mind wander. It could be while brushing your teeth, during a walk, or before bed. You can even use this method for areas that cause anxiety. By setting specific times to reflect, you allow your mind to engage without distractions.
5. Dream with Friends: Invite friends into the process! Ask thought-provoking questions like, “If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?” or “If money wasn’t an issue, what would your dream life look like?” Dreaming together can inspire new ideas and perspectives.

Remember, if you’ve been disconnected from your dreams for a long time, it may take some patience to reconnect with them. But with persistence, the ability to dream freely will return.

Dreaming is a beautiful way to start something new, but it’s up to us to turn those dreams into goals and plans. If you’re ready to take your dreams from imagination to reality and need a guide to walk that path with you, feel free to reach out for professional coaching.

Until next time, take care of yourself and hold onto your dreams.

Thanks for reading Mindfully Yours newsletter, I hope you enjoyed the topic. Here are some ways to access more mindful living tips:

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Warmly,

Emine