This Is What It Means If You Dream About A Coworker

The last thing most of us want to do on the weekend is dream about work, so an off-the-clock dream about a coworker can make us wonder what is happening. The truth is that dreaming about things we may not always be interested in consciously is quite common. Your dream about a coworker may really be your brain trying to give you a message — and it might not be literal.

Taken from the perspectives of a mystic, dreaming of a coworker isn't necessarily positive or negative (via AuntyFlo). Coworker dreams are said to be indicative of struggles, ambitions, and a competitive nature. It may be that you've recently begun a new project, hit a road bump, or aren't quite achieving your goals. Dreaming of gossiping coworkers may help reveal areas where you need to work harder, or dreaming of unpleasant coworkers can help reveal any underlying resentment you may be tamping down for workplace politics. Try to recall moments where a coworker may be helping to provide a solution to a problem, too, however, as a mentor or leader in the field might help you dream of clues that you need to find real-life solutions.

If the mystical answers aren't for you, science also has something to say about these dreams.

Experts share that strange dreams run rampant during times of stress (such as a pandemic or an unpleasant work environment) (via Yale Medicine). Susan Rubman, PhD, explains, "People say they feel alone in having so many strange dreams, but it is a significant phenomenon, and it's happening with some frequency during the pandemic," she says. "It's important to realize that this is part of human nature and to know you are not alone." Scientists and researchers also stress the point that a work dream (or any other strange dream) isn't necessarily literal.

Layne Dalfen, founder of The Dream Interpretation Center in Montreal, Quebec, explains also that there are five main points into interpreting your dreams: feelings, symbols, wordplay, plot, and actions (via Forbes). A rather common dream is having sex with a coworker that you aren't even attracted to in real life. Experts caution you not to worry about some imaginary affair. What's far more likely is that you are drawn to a personality trait or talent of this person, and you would like this trait to be part of your work experience. In a similar manner, continually dreaming of being unprepared for a meeting doesn't mean you are doing a bad job. Instead, consider if you are suffering from a lack of confidence not supported by your evaluations. 

Dreaming of a coworker can be disconcerting to say the least — but it's neither a rare occurrence nor necessarily one full of meaning.