Understanding Dreams: Being Naked

Welcome back to our ‘Understanding Dreams’ series, where we examine some of our most common dream themes and delve into what they mean for us in both our subconscious minds and our daily, waking lives. This month’s dream theme is being naked. Most of us have had the experience of going about our daily business like normal in a dream, and then suddenly looking down to find ourselves completely naked. Maybe you’re at work, in a very important meeting; or you’re at the front of an assembly at school; or perhaps you’re doing your shopping at the supermarket. One minute everything is fine, then the next you’re mortified and trying to cover yourself up while everyone around you laughs.

This is a very common dream that usually causes massive relief when the dreamer wakes up. However, it can also cause much embarrassment and maybe even some stress. This is natural of course because nobody wants to find themselves naked in public. But what do these dreams mean? Here we examine the reasons behind these dreams and what they mean for your life.

How does being naked make you feel?

The first question you need to ask yourself is how you feel when you’re naked. Do you feel exposed and vulnerable? Or do you feel free and unburdened? How you feel about the situation has a big effect on what the dream could mean for your life.

Are you feeling vulnerable?

Many people use clothes to make a statement and express their personality, whereas others see them as a way to cover up and hide who they are. If you feel vulnerable when naked in your dream, it’s a sign that you’re feeling the same way in real life.

People often feel vulnerable when they’ve put themselves out there for the world to see them, exactly as they are. Maybe you’ve brought down your metaphorical walls in a relationship and let your partner see exactly who you are and how you feel. It’s a very raw and sometimes scary feeling, leaving you feeling exposed and at risk. However, being vulnerable in a relationship is usually a good thing as it allows you to create a deeper connection with your partner.

If in your dream you’re feeling terrified and are trying to cover yourself up, it could mean that you are scared of revealing too much of yourself in real life and being ridiculed or rejected. If you’re feeling like this, try to examine why you’re feeling so scared. Is somebody else making you feel unworthy? Or are you simply used to building walls to keep people at arm’s length? If this is the case, you may benefit from wearing your heart on your sleeve for a change.

If you’re feeling exposed and embarrassed

Another possible reason that you feel exposed and embarrassed by being naked is that you are hiding a secret and are scared of it being revealed. There’s a reason we say ‘the naked truth’, and that’s because nakedness is honest and leaves us with nowhere to hide.

If you’re hiding a secret, it is probably playing on your mind a lot during the day, and dreaming about being naked and exposed is simply your fears of the secret being revealed spilling over into your subconscious thoughts. Think about why you’re keeping this secret? Is it yours, or that of somebody else’s? Is keeping the secret causing you stress and anxiety? Would it be better for you if you revealed the secret? Perhaps you could confide in somebody you trust, who wouldn’t tell anybody else? Just by telling one trustworthy person could help you feel as though you have got it off your chest, and help you stop worrying about it so much.

Do you feel happy and free?

Dreams in which you’re naked and happy or proud, or both, are much rarer than those in which you’re embarrassed. However, they are definitely a good omen. For some people, being naked isn’t embarrassing or vulnerable at all. These people may feel liberated by the lack of clothes, and free to be their true selves. If in your dream, you’re happily naked, it could symbolise that you are very comfortable with yourself and who you are in real life.

Being comfortable in your own skin and being unfazed by seeing you is a sign that you are very confident and capable. Perhaps you’re succeeding at work and feeling very strong and powerful. Or perhaps you’ve allowed yourself to take down your guard and show your true feelings for your partner, and it has lead to a happy, healthy and loving relationship. Whatever it is, take this dream as a great sign that things are going well for you.