Dreams in Realtime

**JenTheStrange** · 01-22-2013 08:57 AM

I frequently have dreams in realtime. I often can look at a clock in a dream and see the actual time, albeit it feels like the AM and PM are swapped. I tend to anticipate my alarm clock and will fret as the clock ticks down... 5:00, 6:30, 7:30... And I wake myself up at 7:42 in time for my 7:45 alarm.

This has happened to me during naps as well, where I wake up and right away know it's 2:32pm thanks to a clock in my dream. Rarely am I wrong, but it's incredibly obnoxious on a work day where dreaming is for recuperation and play.

Last night, I spent the night doing a written test during which I frantically glanced at the clock and watched the last hours of the night fall away. When it became too close to my alarm, I gave up the test and opted to just wake up at 7:42.

I'm confident this is just my obsession with time, and there aren't always clocks in my dreams, thankfully. But does anyone else notice this same thing? I read somewhere that it might have some sort of correlation with lucid dreaming, but I'm never really lucid in these dreams. I like to stay away from any kind of awareness when I can.

**Mancon** · 01-22-2013 03:05 PM

Is your face facing a clock when you are sleeping? It's interesting what the brain can do. This has happened to me a few times in my life, but not as often as it happens to you. That's really interesting! If you go on vacation and stay in a different room can you still tell the time? Or is it just with the room you normally sleep in?

**JenTheStrange** · 01-22-2013 08:37 PM

No, I don't have a clock in view exactly for that reason. Hate waking up and seeing the time.

I rarely go on vacation, but it's happened when I visit my parents. It happens the most when I anticipate waking up for work or an event that I'm scared I'll miss.

**Valiant** · 01-23-2013 02:04 AM

I'm confident this is just my obsession with time,
It happens the most when I anticipate waking up for work or an event that I'm scared I'll miss.

This says it all, your inner desire to wakeup on time, and not to oversleep ;D
I too have it the same way when I'm excited to wakeup doing something

the thing I found more curious about your post is,
why wouldn't you want to be aware in your dream, or to take the steering wheel or even the director's seat in your dreams?
Since it's the most thrilling thing for me in a dream and most people on here are trying to achieve or get better at it

Anyway sweet dreams, V

edit: as a kid I got up (or tried to) at 6.44 or 7.44 on weekends, always excited watching cartoon marathons
I always thought it was kind cool being able to do that, so I could freshen up before the show starts at 7 or 8

**XxLHYxX** · 01-23-2013 03:07 AM

This has been happening to me, too! I usually face the clock when I'm in bed, and I remember a ton of times (Just recently, too) where I've opened my eyes to check the time while I'm still asleep. It's kind of cool, but it's also really odd.

**JenTheStrange** · 01-23-2013 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Valiant

the thing I found more curious about your post is,
why wouldn't you want to be aware in your dream, or to take the steering wheel or even the director's seat in your dreams?
Since it's the most thrilling thing for me in a dream and most people on here are trying to achieve or get better at it

Anyway sweet dreams, V

I like letting my dreams take control. They show me my state of mind, sometimes confronting me with important problems I hide from. Often, I find myself overwhelmed in LDs, not knowing what to do because anything can be done or I've already done it. This causes confusion and distresses the dream characters around me. I'll literally regress to lose control of the dream again just so I can't be bothered by the idea.

I think the real trick for me and why I'm here (these forums) is learning how to appreciate LDing again like when I was a kid. I've lost all my imagination and wonder.

Dreaming about time is proof of that.

**JenTheStrange** · 01-23-2013 04:34 PM

I messed up my alarm last night. The old PM instead of AM.

Well, instead of waking up at 8:30 when my alarm would have gone off, I woke up at exactly 9:00. That's the time I clock in. Fortunately, I work from home today, so I wasn't too bothered.

I have to say... I took a sleeping pill last night and fell into some heavy, heavy dreaming (with no clocks) and STILL my brain woke me up accordingly. Right in the middle of a dream too. I tried to brush it off with the knowledge that I had my alarm set, but something urged me to check the time.
If you knew me personally, you know nothing short of a massive explosion could wake me up... And it'd have to be a pretty massive explosion.

I also forgot -- Whenever I dream of time like I mentioned, I am usually late in the next few days. It has happened a few times where I've dreamed of being late and was actually late that day or a few days proceeding. Is this some sort of precognitive defense mechanism?