From age 6 to age 14, I would have dreams that started the same way very often. I would step outside from the house and run out to the trees in the yard. I would close my eyes and grit my teeth in focus and I would jump. After each time I landed, I would focus harder and jump higher and higher. Each time further up in the air and feeling more weightless. Until finally, I would jump higher than the trees and focus on my arms and hands which my palms where facing the ground to continue to hover at that height, before looking in a direction and flying away. Arriving at different places each dream where I'd land and walk around cities or landmarks around the world... places I had never known existed until I was much older and were exactly how they looked in my dreams.
Your recurring dream from childhood is rich with symbolism and speaks to several aspects of your inner life. Let’s break down the key elements of your dream for a deeper understanding.
Stepping Outside: This initial act of leaving your home signifies a transition from comfort and safety into the unknown. Homes often represent our emotional and psychological state, so stepping outside could symbolize your desire for exploration, adventure, and freedom. It might also reflect a coming-of-age theme, as you were at an age where self-identity and independence are forming.
The Trees: Trees symbolize growth, strength, and stability. They also represent a connection to nature and the grounding aspects of life. Jumping towards the trees indicates reaching for your potential—but also suggests that you were initially working within familiar boundaries before venturing into the unknown.
Gritting Your Teeth and Focusing: This detail illustrates determination and a focused mindset. It suggests that achieving your dreams took effort and concentration. In life, it may reflect your ambitions and the level of dedication you held even as a child.
Increased Height and Weightlessness: The act of jumping higher and feeling weightless suggests liberation and the breaking of limitations. This can represent overcoming obstacles in your life or pushing past societal boundaries. Weightlessness especially implies a sort of transcendence—freedom from earthly concerns and the burdens of daily life.
Hovering with Palms Facing Down: The imagery of hovering conveys a sense of control and mastery over your own abilities. Palms facing downward could symbolize grounding and connection with the earth while simultaneously reaching for the skies. This is emblematic of balancing aspirations with practicality.
Traveling to Unfamiliar Cities: Visiting places you had never known existed yet later recognized is particularly meaningful. It suggests that your dreams were tapping into intuitive knowledge or visualizations of experiences you were destined to encounter. This might reflect a deep-seated curiosity about the world and a longing for exploration, adventure, and learning.
The dreams encapsulate a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and aspiration. As a child, the act of jumping and flying reflects your innate desire to break free from limitations and explore the vastness of existence beyond immediate surroundings. This dream narrative might have provided you with a sense of adventure, encouraging you to explore your ambitions and dreams in waking life.
Additionally, this kind of dreaming experience might also signify that you possess a strong creative imagination and a yearning for exploration that continues into adulthood. You might want to consider how you can integrate this aspiration for adventure into your life now, whether through travel, new experiences, or pursuing your goals with the same courage and determination you exhibited in your dreams.
Finally, consider how these dreams made you feel. Were you excited, anxious, liberated? These feelings can provide further insight into your inner psyche. Dreams like this often create a unique bond between our past selves and present aspirations—a reminder of what ignites our spirit and fuels our desire for adventure.