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I still have dreams about my ex, sometimes they're good and sometimes they're bad. What does that mean?

214 Answers
Last Updated: 06/08/2022 at 1:20am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Andrea Tuck, LCPC

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I tackle and discuss a multitude of social and emotional health issues. I have a belief that through empowerment and non-judgmental support clients' can thrive.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
October 25th, 2019 12:41am
Dreaming about an ex can mean many different things. Thankfully, usually it has nothing to do with that person. Sometimes, this dream is an indication that someone or something in your current life is bringing out feelings you felt when you were in the old relationship. This may be your brain telling you of something old. Do you see yourself repeating patterns from before? This could also be an indication you miss something from the past relationship (not the person.) Was there a part of that relationship that brought you happiness that you know longer have? Such as certain experiences you had together or activities you did?
Anonymous
October 16th, 2019 7:57am
often times we would like to believe that our dreams are what it is. there were several times I had dreamt about people coming back after they’ve left me as well. I believed that it was a sign that he’s missing me in real life and he wants to come back to me. however, we have to know that our dreams are often times an indication of us and our unconscious thoughts rather than an indication of others’. for instance, I dreamt that my ex came back to me. in real life, he wasn’t intending to come back to me. it was just my inner desire wishing he would come back to me, and thus it was translated into my dream. perhaps try to focus on what these dreams are saying about you rather than thinking what this is saying about someone else. (: all the best!
Anonymous
October 5th, 2019 4:18pm
Most people seem to have different interpretations as to the significance of dreams. For some they have deep meaning and relevance. For others they might feel more random in nature. Either way, it seems safe to say that the emotions involved in the dream are likely pertinent to an emotional state that is happening in one's life. Perhaps it is stress, perhaps it is loneliness or joy. Maybe during a happy time in life, the happiness summons a happy recollection of an experience with your ex while you sleep. And conversely, perhaps during stressful times, a dream might be triggered of an equally stressful time in a past relationship.
Anonymous
August 31st, 2019 9:26pm
You know more about why than I do. We can chat and find out more about this. Consider the reasons why he is good or bad in these dreams; maybe there is a connection there to consider. A lot of times, our dreams are working to resolve these issues, and as a participant, perhaps you can draw connections between these events and your dreams. Try looking at these dreams like you are a reporter trying to get the facts. When you consider what the facts are, without including the emotions attached, you might discover more. What do you see? What do you think?
Anonymous
August 1st, 2019 2:17pm
It's normal for a person to think about past events. Especially during sleep. This is due to your thoughts about the past . Correcting the sleep wake cycle will help you to have a good slumber. There is nothing bad about dreams unless it effects you emotionally and influence your daily routine. It's normal to think about or dream about something that created a memory in our life. Your mind tends to remind you about the moments. Don't worry over it. It's really really ok until you have nightmares on daily basis. Try to have proper sleep with a schedule
Returncontrol2u
July 13th, 2019 12:52am
Our brains tend to keep things that are repeated. This is why practice makes perfect. Unfortunately, when we want to forget something or someone it makes life more difficult. Dreams are not well explained and an adventure of their own. You are not broken or addicted or "never going to forget them". You are recovering your brain from a long term or strong emotional state. Give yourself time and love so you can "heal" from the damage that occurred to your thinking. You will heal and grow to new places. If you have trouble more than a year or two, give a therapist a call and review what happened. You will improve your life and forming new habbits and emotions will help diminish the old emotions.
Anonymous
July 6th, 2019 3:12pm
In my experience it always meant that I missed them. But was conflicted about how I felt about them being in my life. When you love someone it can be difficult to differentiate behaviors that they are exhibiting as unhealthy for you because you love them so much, you are temporarily blinded. After it's over those feelings of love just don't disappear but they are accompanied with the hurt from the break up now. I was torn between loving my ex and being hurt by them. That's why my dreams about them were so conflicting. I hope this helped.
sunshine0001
July 4th, 2019 5:17pm
Sounds like you might have mixed feelings about your ex- You treasure the good times and good qualities that made you like the person in the first place, but you might also feel conflicted in terms of the possibly toxic or difficult properties of your ex that you seem to deal with within your dreams. If this is a possibility (you are the expert of yourself) it is completely normal and understandable to feel that way. That person was probably once very important to you so it is okay to have mixed emotions about him/her. Does this sounds like something you might be experiencing?
ArabellaHazeldine
June 27th, 2019 2:54am
It doesn’t mean anything really. The mind is a very complex thing. Sometime you can dream about you ex because you’re nostalgic about the past, doesn’t necessarily mean the relationship, just past things that have happened. Maybe memories you had together. Maybe they’re bad because they’re reminding you about what happened and you’re still upset about the past. Or maybe it’s because you’re thinking of the bad things because you know you’re stronger to go back to somebody who did you wrong (if that was the case). Don’t listen to the dreams. Follow what you want in your clear head.
Hanaa00
June 12th, 2019 11:15pm
I will try and answer this question as honestly as i can, and also by sharing my own experience, since I personally do not believe that there is an objective answer to it. So, at the moment, i am in a similar situation, and i have also asked myself this question. In my personal case, i feel like i have sort of “forced” myself to move on from losing my ex, i have tricked my own mind into thinking that i am not as affected by that breakup as I actually am. So, when i dream about him, I believe that’s just my subconsciousness reminding me that I haven’t gotten over that situation yet, that i still think about him although i put so much effort into not doing it. But things need time to heal, and we all need time before we can say that we have moved on completely, and that is okay.
MiniAshMart
May 27th, 2019 4:58am
It’s typical to dream about your ex. You’re merely managing these images and memories as a way to fill in some of the gaps you might be missing as a person. However bad the experience was with your ex; your brain is utilizing it to develop. There is no exact way to adequately explain dreams or the chosen people who manifest within them. Our brains use dreaming as a way to recover from stress, past traumas, or to make sense of events we may not fully grasp. Your ex may also play a role in your life, and you yourself may not barely grasp it. This is partially anticipated to psychological habit, partially due to what your ex represents to you, and partially due to an attempt to heal unresolved issues like the reason for the breakup.
LC1225
May 26th, 2019 12:41pm
To me this means that they are still on your mind. It might be that they are subconsciously on your mind but you are thinking about them nonetheless. You were with this person so you connected with them at some point and that means it means something or meant something to you. I don't think it is necessarily a good or bad thing. It is just a thing and that's okay. If you just recently broke up then this is something more common but if you have been broken up for awhile now it is still "normal" just not as common. I think its safe to say that this will go away in time. Good luck with it! -LC
Anonymous
April 20th, 2019 10:12am
Normally we see dreams of people who we think about a lot It doesn't matter if the dream is good or bad. Or you might be seeing the dream because your ex is demonstrating a feeling or emotion that you want or have or miss. Anyways don't think about it so much. It might not even mean anything. Remember that your ex is your ex for a reason. You both went your separate ways. It is best if you move on and find someone else. Don't think about your ex anymore.
zealsunshine09
March 22nd, 2019 10:24am
It means that sometimes you subconsciously think about him and that is alright as we do think about people we care about or who we cared about in the past perhaps you may want to figure out why is it that you are thinking about him and that will help you reflect on your feelings towards the dreams you have about him. If you feel like you need to vent or have unresolved thoughts confide in a friend and tell them about your feelings to get some perspective as well. And If you feel like you can't do that talk to us at 7 cups we are here to listen
littlegenius
February 3rd, 2019 5:46pm
It's really hard to get rid of 100 percent to someone whom you spent with so many hours, days and even years. It is very normal to dream of your past memories with him. Thing that matters the most to you is not about good and bad dream. But you need to understand not to sink in yourself and feel deeply with those dreams such as "is he ok?" Or "is it a sign of he is missing me". Kindly leave past at past if it can't be worked out at all. Being stuck in the past will stop you seeing better beginnings ahead. However, I am very glad to know that you do not hate him cause you are telling me about him. If someone hates their exs, they won't bother telling this to others. It's the best way to live without holding any grudge on anyone.
Undertheseaaaa
November 22nd, 2018 7:19pm
I think when any kind of relationship ends, being either romantic/friendship or anything we will always have feelings and emotions that stay with us and I think you having dreams about your ex is your mind and body's way of getting over it and moving on. Coming to terms with things can be really hard and sometimes can take a little time. Maybe you could try and sit whilst you're awake and think things through. How are you feeling about the relationship you guys had now? Do you miss him/her? Are you wishing maybe you guys could work things out? Did they hurt you in some kind of way?
gentleHoney34
August 3rd, 2018 1:58am
That is a good question. The simple answer is I have no idea. Maybe something in your day reminded you of them... A lot of times that is what has happened to me.
gracefulEyes44
June 20th, 2018 11:49pm
Maybe you have not completely let go off your ex yet. Is there something that hasn't been finished between you both?
Positivityiskeyalways
June 22nd, 2018 11:45pm
I think a lot of people go through this. We all dream about people we care for it’s only natural, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything
Anonymous
June 28th, 2018 11:28am
It means you are too lonely. Get your mind occupied. Get somebody or something else to occupy your mind with.
wonderfullSummer84
June 29th, 2018 2:59pm
Well, dreams are basically lucid thoughts, and are often influenced by what you were thinking before you went to sleep. So depending on whether or not you were feeling happy or upset with your ex when you went to sleep can have a huge effect on your dreams. It doesn’t necessarily have a meaning, and it’s perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about your ex.
friendlyComfort96
July 5th, 2018 1:59am
You cared for this person a lot at a time in your life. There will always be a part of you that is connected, but that doesn't mean that you were meant to be together.
AzureThunder
July 11th, 2018 6:50pm
It's normal to have dreams about your ex. Whether they're good or bad, dreams reflect what you've thought about or what sticks in your head. You may be stressed about it, or perhaps some positive feelings are still in your mind. I do believe they fade over time, but I wouldn't ascribe specific meaning to them.
interestingRabbit78
July 12th, 2018 10:20pm
That could mean that you are still attached..depending on th end of the relationship and the way it ended could change how things effect you.
slavont
July 14th, 2018 2:08am
It means that you still think about them, they were once a big part of your life, as you were theirs. Memories don't disappear.
Anonymous
July 14th, 2018 3:05am
Your ex had always space from your memory. Your memories with that person will never be forget especially if it involves intense emotions. If you dream about your ex it might be possible that your subconscious mind has unfinished business that needs to be settle. It's either questions, doubts or 'what ifs'. If it is good dreams, it might be possible that you treasured your memories with your ex and your subsconscious mind reminding you "hey that feels so good to be with someone whom treats you special"
Tianna17
July 25th, 2018 9:43am
It’s means you’re not over your ex and you are always thinking about them, so they appear in your dreams.
JojoMojoHappy
August 1st, 2018 7:31pm
It means that they were fulfilling some unmet need of yours that hasn't yet been fulfilled or has been left leaking upon their departure.
Anonymous
October 3rd, 2018 10:01am
It most probably means that you miss the person or you have some unresolved issues with him/her. Dreams in their simplest form are manifestations of your minds desires. Talking to the person about it could help give your mind some relief. If the bad dreams occur more than the good dreams, it hints that you may still have have some remaining issues with the person. Talking it out with them maybe the best thing to do. If in case they do not wish to contact you, try talking to your friends or family about it. They might be able to help you resolve your unrest.
Anonymous
September 16th, 2018 4:39pm
People who do a good job of managing emotions know that it's healthy to express their feelings — but that it matters how (and when) they express them. Because of this, they're able to react to situations in productive ways: They know they can choose the way they react instead of letting emotions influence them to do or say things they later regret. They have a sense of when it's best to speak out — and when it's better to wait before acting on, or reacting to, what they feel. They know that their reaction influences what happens next — including how other people respond to them and the way they feel about themselves.