Dreams are as interesting as they are puzzling! Though it has fascinated many individuals of different fields, serious scientific studies on dreams came in later compared to other aspects of the mind. For one, it’s been found that even though they may vary in many ways, there are some pretty common characteristics shared in dreams! Here are only some of them. 

They are quite hard to remember

Technically, everybody dreams. There are some people who claim that they don’t, but it’s actually because they simply can’t remember! And even if you do remember, you actually don’t recall all that much. It has been found that we dream for about 2 hours and we really don’t remember everything that happens in that period. So, don’t dwell too much on not remembering your dreams! It’s a natural characteristic, it happens to everyone, and there’s nothing you should be worried about.

Dreams are illogical

Another major characteristic of dreams is that they are usually illogical and disorganized. They can be inconsistent in terms of setting, characters, and topics. One minute you’re in your school and the next you’re already flying above Singapore. Or maybe objects transform from one thing to another, even loved ones who have passed away may be present. Of course, when you dream, natural laws don’t apply! Although, you will obviously still have dreams wherein nothing weird or unnatural is happening. Even then, you may experience ambiguities and bizarre things from time to time.

You will often experience intense emotions

One of the most common dreams shared between people is the dream of being chased by an aggressor. The intensity of such dreams even wakes the individual up abruptly in some cases. Anxiety, sadness, and fear are actually common emotions that are intensified when we are dreaming. This is a big reason why you have dreams that make you shed a tear or get you to cry full-on. Of course, you may have dreams that get you excited or make you really happy as well.   

Our brains don’t have any trouble processing odd dreams

In connection to the point about dreams being illogical, our brains don’t have any problems with that at all. Even if you’re flying in your dream or your hands suddenly transform into crab pincers, your brain will process it as if it’s normal ordinary information. It is said that this is because our perceptions and emotions are stronger when we are in a dreaming state. If you do remember the dream as you wake up, only then will you think of it as odd and unnatural. Meaning, you only process all those strange info when you’re already conscious.

In every endeavour we find ourselves in, there will come a time that we will run out of ideas. That is natural but we need to quickly regain it before we lose interest. We have to accept first that there is always a need for fresh ideas and perspectives regardless of the field.

What do we do when we run out of ideas? The good news is that we are not alone and we can implore the help of other people. Let us explore the things to do when we run out of ideas:

• Expose ourselves to new ideas: There are times that fresh and bright ideas come to us in fleeting moments but we tell ourselves that these ideas were not so great in the first place. As a result, we forget these ideas and do not realize its potential. When we think that that idea can influence our work, there is nothing wrong to take a note and refer to it in the near future. Our smartphones can help us with the jotting.
• Seek new perspectives: Sometimes we need to go out and see what the world offers. We should not be imprisoned in our office and think of new perspectives. We should go out and see the world. Who knows we can stumble upon ideas for our next story or creative businesses presentation.

• Ask for feedback: If we are confused or bemused, we can ask for feedback – that is constructive criticism. It will do the trick. If we ask for feedback, we have to approach someone with no other agenda but to help us.
• Create our first draft: The first draft will surely lead to the second, third and the final draft. We should not underestimate the power of first drafts no matter how vague or dirty it is.
• Try brainstorming tools: If we do not want to wait for an idea, then there is no choice but to force them out from us. There is no use to wait for flashes of inspiration especially if we are lacking time. There are different tools that we can consider when brainstorming like paper and pen.
• Consider collaborative exercises: Considering collaborative exercises are fun and memorable. With the help of our colleagues, we can surely think of fresh ideas.

Singapore is powered by fresh ideas. We are where we are because people with fresh and bright ideas made it happen. It is time that we contribute something for a better Singapore so, whenever we run out of ideas, we should remember the things mentioned above and we will see the difference.