Dreaming of falling
The psychological view
Falling is one of the actions people describe most often in dreams. In a psychological view it is linked to being cut loose, losing your footing and the feeling that control is slipping. What matters is not the fall itself but what you feel while falling.
Dream research reports that dream content shows continuity with the experiences of waking life (Source 2). So it helps to think of a falling dream alongside a situation in which you feel you have lost ground lately.
Variations
Falling from a height
Falling from a height describes the insecurity that follows a big expectation or a rise. Think about what was high.
Falling down stairs
A fall on stairs ties to hesitation while taking a step. Notice which step you were on.
Waking as you fall
Waking as you fall is a very common experience. Write the feeling you had at the moment of waking in your journal.
Falling into water
Falling into water describes the feeling of being swept by emotions. The water's warmth and depth hint at the feeling.
Watching someone fall
Seeing someone else fall brings up your concern for that person or your wish to help.
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Keep reading
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How to Keep a Dream Journal: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Frequently asked questions
Is waking from a falling dream normal?
Waking while falling is a common experience. What matters is noticing the feeling you wake with. If a lasting difficulty goes on, talk to a health professional.
When does a falling dream recur?
A recurring falling dream offers a clue that a sense of uncertainty goes on; look at which periods it returns in your journal.
Is a falling dream a warning?
No. The psychological view reads a dream not as a warning or a forecast but as a reflection of present feelings.
Sources
- Palgrave Macmillan (2018). Researching Dreams: The Fundamentals
- Consciousness and Cognition (2003). Continuity between waking activities and dream activities