How to Remember Your Dreams – And Why It Matters for Local Government Leaders

“Without an active relationship to the unconscious, it is as if we are stumbling in the dark cut off from the inner intelligence that is designed to keep us balanced and growing.”

In the world of local government, we are constantly navigating complexity balancing political pressures, financial constraints, and the needs of diverse communities. It’s a space where clarity, creativity, and emotional intelligence are essential. But how often do we pause to consider the role of the unconscious in shaping our decisions, our leadership, and our wellbeing?

Dreams are one of the most direct ways we access the unconscious. They offer insight, perspective, and sometimes even solutions to problems we haven’t yet consciously articulated. For those in leadership roles, remembering and reflecting on dreams can be a powerful tool for personal growth and professional clarity. If you struggle to remember your dreams, you’re not alone. But the good news is that dream recall is a skill and like any skill, it can be cultivated. Here are eight practical ways to reconnect with your inner world.

1. Set an Intention Before Sleep

The first step in remembering your dreams is to create a clear and conscious intention to do so. This isn’t about forcing anything it’s about gently inviting your unconscious to speak. As you prepare for bed, take a few quiet moments to centre yourself. You might reflect on a question you’re holding, or simply express curiosity about what your dreams might reveal. You could say something like, “I’m open to learning from my dreams tonight,” or “I welcome whatever insight my unconscious wants to share.” This small ritual helps shift your mindset and signals to your inner world that you’re ready to listen.

2. Make Space in Your Day

Dreams don’t thrive in a crowded mind. When your day is packed from start to finish with meetings, emails, and digital noise, there’s little room for the subtle signals of the unconscious to surface. Think about how much easier it is to remember dreams when you’re on holiday that’s because your nervous system finally has space to breathe. To support dream recall in everyday life, try to create small moments of stillness. This could be a short walk without your phone, a few minutes of quiet reflection, or simply staring out of the window with no agenda. These pauses create the mental spaciousness that allows your inner world to speak.

3. Prepare to Record with Ease

One of the most practical things you can do is to make recording your dreams as easy as possible. Keep a notebook, tablet, or voice recorder by your bed so that you can capture anything that comes through especially in the middle of the night. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s symbolic. It tells your unconscious mind that you’re serious about listening. The easier it is to record a dream, the more likely you are to do it and the more your unconscious will respond in kind.

4. Capture Dreams Immediately

Dreams are fleeting. If you wake up in the night or early morning with a dream in mind, try to record it straight away. Even if you’re too tired to write out the full narrative, jot down a few key words or images that can help jog your memory later. Alternatively, lie still with your eyes closed and mentally replay the dream in as much detail as you can. This helps to embed it in your memory. The more you practise this, the more fluent you become in the language of your dreams.

5. Wake Up Slowly and Mindfully

The moments just after waking are a golden window for dream recall. Resist the urge to check your phone, turn on the lights, or jump straight into the day. Instead, linger in that liminal space between sleep and waking. Let your mind drift gently and see what surfaces. Often, a dream is still hovering just beneath the surface, waiting to be remembered. By giving yourself a few quiet minutes in the morning, you create the conditions for those memories to emerge.

6. Pay Attention to Daytime Echoes

Sometimes, a dream that seemed lost will resurface during the day triggered by a conversation, a smell, a place, or even a passing thought. When this happens, pause and take note. These echoes often carry meaning, especially when they connect to something you’re currently grappling with. By acknowledging these moments and writing them down, you reinforce your commitment to listening to your inner world. Over time, this builds a stronger bridge between your conscious and unconscious mind.

7. Embrace Fragments and Symbols

Not every dream will arrive as a fully formed story. Sometimes, all you’ll remember is a single image, a phrase, or a feeling. Don’t dismiss these fragments they often contain the essence of the message. Be curious about what you do recall, and treat it as valuable. Ask yourself: What might this symbol represent? Why might this feeling be surfacing now? The more attention you give to these fragments, the more your unconscious will offer in return.

8. Don’t Worry If You Forget

Finally, if a dream slips away, don’t worry. The unconscious is generous and persistent. If you miss one, another will come. The key is to stay open, consistent, and curious. Celebrate the fact that you dreamed at all, and trust that your inner world will continue to speak. Like any relationship, your connection to your dreams deepens with time, attention, and care.

Why This Matters for Local Government Leaders

In public service, we are often required to make decisions that affect thousands of lives. We rely on data, consultation, and policy frameworks but we also rely on ourselves: our judgement, our emotional intelligence, and our capacity to lead with integrity. Dreams offer a unique form of insight that complements our rational thinking. They help us process complexity, clarify our values, and stay connected to our deeper motivations.

For those in leadership, remembering your dreams isn’t just a personal practice it’s a professional asset. It supports clearer thinking, more grounded decision-making, and a richer understanding of the human experience. And in a sector built on service to others, that understanding is invaluable. So tonight, as you prepare for rest, take a moment to listen inward. Set the stage for your unconscious to speak. And see what your dreams have to offer.