a common element- things not working, things falling apart, etc

Hi All!

I have been working on a dream journal for a little over a week now, it has been a lot of fun to be able to recall so many each night. None lucid as of yet, but still quite enjoyable. I usually don't recall any, but now I am up to 5 per night! I have read that I am to look out for reoccurring dream elements (people, actions, themes, etc) as a way to better recognize when I am dreaming. So far, I am noticing that a noticeable percentage of mine has things not working.. or falling apart, or there being some general obstacle in my intents. In one it was too dark to find my things outside, another my meal was knocked out of my hand by a rambunctious animal, things not working properly or in a disappointing way. If/when I am able to get lucid, I understand that I may be able to change these things. But, in the meantime I am curious what to make of this common theme, and how I might be able to work with it, gain from it or do about it. Thoughts??