Why Do I Keep Dreaming About The Same Person? 15 Surprising Reasons

Decoding the various meanings behind your recurring dreams about someone

Last Updated: March 24, 2023 References

You’re seeing someone in your dreams every night, and they won’t disappear—what could this possibly mean? While there isn’t hard science to support dream interpretations, many people believe recurring dreams about someone can reveal your hidden feelings and desires. In this article, we’re providing the most popular explanations for why someone keeps reappearing in your slumber (plus, how to take action to reclaim your dreams). So, if you’re ready to crack the dream code, read on!

This article is based on an interview with our international intuitive counselor and happiness coach, Kari Samuels. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

Dreaming about the same person may indicate you have unresolved issues with them. Reach out to them to resolve the conflict and put your mind at ease.
Recurring dreams of childhood friends may represent carefree moments growing up. Interpret this as a sign to pause and revisit your childhood interests.
Having repeated dreams about a loved one can signal that you’re worried about them. If they seem down, send them a text to check in on them.

1

You probably spend a lot of time with them.

Recurring dreams about someone may happen if you see them every day. Since dreams reflect your thoughts, concerns, and experiences, it’s common to repeatedly dream about someone you live or work with. If you don’t remember the details of your dreams, interpret them as an extension of your waking life and what you’re (consciously or subconsciously) thinking about.^{[1]
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- Before analyzing the spiritual significance of your dreams, consider where you spend most of your time. If you’re always at the office, you may be dreaming of a colleague because your brain is still in work mode. If you spend the majority of the day at home, it might explain why your spouse, family, or roommates pop up.^{[2]
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- If you can recall your dreams in vivid detail (or you wake up feeling extremely emotional), it may be a sign to further analyze them. As soon as you wake up, write your dreams down so you can keep track of them, and pay attention if there are similarities in terms of symbols or scenes.^{[3]
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2

You may aspire to be like them.

Having dreams about someone admirable could signal self-improvement. Whether you’re dreaming of a public figure or someone you know, recurring dreams may reveal your desire to emulate someone. To analyze your dreams, focus on this person's behavior—were they confident, hardworking, or intelligent? Their traits can give you insight into what you can work on to become the person of your dreams, literally.^{[4]
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- Dreaming about your boss could represent your desire for a successful career, so your dreams might be advising you to work more efficiently. To achieve this, set goals every week and track them. If you’re not meeting them, set time limits for tasks so you can see what you need help on.^{[5]
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- One of the best ways to attract a certain trait is to manifest it. And if you’ve been manifesting for a while, interpret your dreams as a positive sign—since the trait has reached your subconscious mind, it’s only a matter of time before you acquire it.

3

You might wish to revisit the past.

Dreaming of a former loved one can signal you want to relive a memory. Sometimes, you have recurring dreams about someone because they represent a feeling you hope to experience again. It doesn’t necessarily mean you miss that person or want to reconnect with them, but they could remind you of a time when you felt happier or more alive.^{[6]
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- Dreaming about a childhood friend could symbolize the fun, carefree moments you spent growing up. And if you find yourself more stressed than usual, your dreams might be reminding you to give yourself a break and enjoy life—consider revisiting your childhood passions and interests.
- Dreaming about an ex might represent your desire for a long-term relationship. And if you’ve been single for a while, your subconscious mind could be encouraging you to put yourself out there and meet new people.

4

You could be about to experience a major change in life.

Repeated dreams about someone can signal new beginnings. If you’ve been going through a rough patch, your dreams might be foreshadowing a fresh chapter in life. Recurring dreams can represent a manifestation of your desires and wish fulfillments, so dreaming of someone successful or positive could signal you’re about to start a new life.^{[7]
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- Many people believe sudden, recurring dreams about babies represent reward and recognition. If you’ve been working hard, your subconscious mind might be nudging you to take time off and prioritize yourself.

5

You might want to get closer to them.

Dreaming of someone repeatedly can indicate you like having them around. If you feel safe and supported around someone, your recurring dreams might reveal that they’re your comfort person. Consider all the times they’ve been there for you, and interpret your dreams as a positive sign—your subconscious mind might be confirming that this person is someone worth keeping in your life.^{[8]
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- If you’re going through a difficult time, don’t be afraid to take the initiative and reach out to this person. They might not be able to sense if you need support, so your dreams could be encouraging you to open up to them and be vulnerable.
- To return the favor and show someone you care about them, offer to help them with errands or plan a surprise date to make them smile.

6

You might have feelings for them.

Recurring dreams about someone can happen if you care about them. Sometimes, you develop a gradual crush on someone without realizing it, but your subconscious mind can give you a push in their direction. If you’ve developed feelings for someone, they may appear in your dreams because they’re always on your mind or you’re constantly in touch with them.^{[9]
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- If you’ve been unsure whether to tell your crush you like them, interpret your dreams as an encouragement to make the first move. Ask your crush to meet up with you and express how you feel—no matter what happens, approach the situation with confidence and be proud of yourself for being vulnerable.

7

You may love them.

Dreaming of someone repeatedly may represent your love for them. Whether this special someone is your friend, parent, or crush, interpret your recurring dreams as a sign that you care about them deeply. If you love someone, it’s natural to think about them throughout the day, and they could be the last person on your mind before you go to sleep (prompting your dreams about them).^{[10]
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- Dreaming about your mom can be a sign to spend more quality time with her. If you haven’t seen her in a while, consider surprising her in person to show your affection—even if you only have a few hours to see her, it still means the world!

8

Your twin flame could be nearby.

Recurring dreams might be your twin flame trying to connect with you. Since your dreams reveal things your conscious mind doesn’t pick up on, you might be able to visualize your other half—even if you haven’t met them. If you keep having vivid dreams about a mysterious person, they could be trying to communicate with you subconsciously and let you know they’re just around the corner.^{[11]
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- Remember that twin flames can appear in the most unexpected places, so keep an open heart and mind. If you’ve been single for a while, stay optimistic and trust in the Universe’s timing.
- When the Universe guides you to your other half, there are several signs you’ve met your twin flame: you might have a crazy amount of things in common, or you could even experience feelings of deja vu when you meet them for the first time.

9

You might be missing them.

Longing for someone you lost may cause recurring dreams about them. No matter why they’re no longer in your life, seeing someone in your dreams can mean you wish to see them again. And if you cared about them deeply, recurring dreams could be a way for you to process your emotions and find out how to adapt to life without them.^{[12]
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- If a loved one passed away, recurring dreams could mean you regret the times you didn’t get to spend with them. During this time, remember to accept and embrace your emotions—everyone copes with grief differently and there’s no right or wrong way to express pain.
- If your partner moved away recently, recurring dreams could signal you feel lost without them nearby. Until you’re used to this new dynamic, you may keep seeing them in your dreams, but in the meantime, plan virtual dates to keep the romance alive. Remember, you can still support each other and make a long distance relationship work.

10

You might be worried about them.

Seeing a loved one can indicate you’re concerned about their well-being. If you know someone who’s going through a tough time, they might appear in your dreams because you fear for their mental or physical health. Even if you can’t improve their situation, let this person know you’re thinking about them and check in on them regularly.^{[13]
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- If a loved one is facing hardships, your dreams could be a sign to reach out to them. Since they might not feel comfortable asking for help, text them to see if they’re okay or offer to run an errand on their behalf.
- If you’re anxious about someone else’s situation, your dreams might leave you feeling nervous or upset. Since vivid dreams can affect your well-being, try to do a mindful meditation or incorporate breathing exercises into your daily routine.

11

You may feel guilty for hurting them.

Dreaming of someone you hurt before can indicate unsettled remorse. Have you said or done something to someone that you truly regret? If so, this person could be showing up in your dreams because you feel ashamed of yourself. If you never took accountability for your past actions, your subconscious mind might be telling you to reach out and mend your relationship with them.^{[14]
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- To reclaim a good night’s sleep, reach out to this person and apologize. Be sure to acknowledge their feelings and accept responsibility, and instead of making a generalized statement, try to be as specific as possible in how you hurt them.

12

You could have unresolved issues with them.

Dreaming of someone may be a sign to resolve conflict with them. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague, you can repeatedly dream about someone if there are pending issues between the two of you. If you weren’t able to settle a disagreement with someone, your subconscious might be encouraging you to reach out to them and figure out the root of the problem.^{[15]
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- If you fell out with a friend, your dreams may represent your desire to reconnect with them. Although reaching out to your friend can be scary, don’t let your ego stop you. If you wait for your friend to make the first move, it may never happen, so take the initiative to meet up with them.
- Unless you settle the issue, you could continue dreaming about the same person. So when you decide to resolve conflict, remain calm in the situation and allow the other person to speak. Instead of magnifying differences, try to find common ground so you can reach a compromise.

13

You might not be over an ex.

Dreaming about an ex could indicate you never got closure. If your breakup was rushed and you didn’t get to explain your side of the story, your dreams may be a way for you to process your feelings toward your ex. Whether you’re angry, hurt, or upset about the situation, interpret your dreams as part of your healing process and allow yourself to embrace your emotions.^{[16]
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- Remember that you might not get closure in every situation, and that’s perfectly okay. True closure comes from within, and by focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can move forward in the healing process.
- If you’re in a relationship, your dreams might reveal that you’re not content with your new partner. If you felt happier when you were single or with your ex, your subconscious mind might be encouraging you to evaluate your feelings and ask yourself why you’re in a relationship.^{[17]
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14

Your spirit guides might be warning you about them.

Recurring dreams may be a sign to cut ties with someone. If you wake up feeling anxious or stressed, your spiritual guides might be letting you know that the person in your dreams is toxic. To confirm whether this is true, observe their behavior closely and follow your intuition. If you feel uneasy around this person in real life, it may be a sign to distance yourself as much as possible.
- To communicate with your spirit guides, cleanse your chakras to raise your vibration, and then call upon them. Before going to sleep, you could say, “I’m calling on my highest level spirit guides to get clarity on my relationship.”

15

You may have experienced a traumatic event.

Dreaming about the same person may indicate unresolved trauma. If you’ve recently experienced a stressful event, you could dream about your perpetrator or rescuer for weeks, months, or even years afterward. Understand that this is a perfectly normal response to trauma, but you are likely to continue dreaming of this person until you figure out how to put your trauma to rest and move forward with your life.^{[18]
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- If you’re having nightmares, try using image rehearsal therapy: write down your nightmare in detail, rewrite any negative parts into positive ones, and then imagine this new storyline during the day. By restructuring your nightmare, you can train your brain to eliminate disturbing dreams.^{[19]
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- After a traumatic event, be gentle to yourself and remember that you don’t have to heal from trauma alone—talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about your experience to help you remove the terrible feelings you attach to an event.^{[20]
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  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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