What It Really Means When You Dream About Being Lost

Getting lost in real life is pretty rare these days as most of us have navigating systems in our cars or on our mobile devices. Unfortunately, when it comes to our dreams, a GPS may not be that accessible. Frequently dreaming of feeling lost or not knowing where you are is something many of us have experienced. Cathleen O'Connor, Ph.D., author of "The Everything Law of Attraction Dream Dictionary," tells HuffPost, "Dreams of being lost are extremely common and can occur at any age." 

In your dreams of being lost you might find yourself walking along a road you have never been on, or perhaps you may get lost while trying to find your way home. A dream of being lost can entail being separated from your family in a scary situation or wandering your own neighborhood, with nothing seeming familiar to you. You may even have dreams of someone close to you being lost like a child or parent.

But what does dreaming of being lost actually represent? We did some digging to find out!

Cathleen O'Connor tells HuffPost that to dream about being lost typically represents a feeling of anxiety you are having regarding a particular instance in your life.

O'Connor explains, "Usually, the meaning has to do with a current situation in your life where you are anxious that you will not find your way – perhaps a new job where you feel your skills are not optimal, a move to a new city where you are anxious about fitting in and making new friends or perhaps an important task at work with a deadline looming."

Dreaming about being lost can mean a variety of things, depending of the context of the dream. According to Check My Dream, there are quite a few meanings connected to being lost in your dreams, for instance, a non-specific dream of being lost is usually associated with a loss of something purposeful or the inability to fulfill something.

Dreaming about being lost in an unfamiliar area can be unsettling. Whether you find yourself in a city you've never seen, on a tropical island you haven't been to, or even floating in outer space, the unknown can feel uncomfortable, but it does not necessarily represent real life negative circumstances. According to Dreams Astro Meanings, dreaming of being lost in a foreign place means you may be ready for major life changes.

Dreaming about being lost in strange countries or areas can represent new opportunities on the horizon and new roads to explore. It may also signify a psychic ability or intuition, an urge to lead, or a mission that needs completing, (via DreamsO'pedia).

Dreaming of being lost in space might represent a feeling that you cannot control a specific problem in your life, or the experience of being in an unusual circumstances that you do not know how to address, (via Dream Bible). 

Dreaming of being lost in a forest can be disturbing and quite scary, especially if the forest is dark and spooky. The Dream Bible reports that this type of dream may signify feelings of confusion, fear, and despair. A dream of being lost in a forest may represent the inability to rectify a situation, the lack of support in your life, and perhaps, a feeling that you have lost your way.

To dream of being lost in a forest, or in nature, while feeling calm and happy, is one of the best dreaming of being lost dreams you can have, according to Dream Astro Meanings. This dream signifies personal growth or a spiritual transition, renewed inspiration, and a fresh perspective.

According to DreamsO'pedia, dreaming about being lost in a forest may also be a sign of encouragement to continue your work, your ability to overcome challenges, and the need for recognition.

You might dream about becoming lost in a sea of people, perhaps familiar faces or complete strangers are surrounding you at an event, in a strange place, or even in your home. This dream may cause confusion and distress, and you might wake up feeling uneasy. Dream Astro Meanings suggests that dreaming of being lost in a crowd of people represents your insecurities about your social relationships, or that you are feeling backed into a corner by people in your life. 

This type of dream can also mean you are lacking confidence, self-esteem, and that you do not speak up for yourself. According to the Dream Dictionary, feeling lost in the crowd of a fun event, like a party, represents the need for self-reflection and working on finding yourself again.

If you dream about losing someone else in a crowded place, this could signify a feeling of being left behind, as if someone in your life is moving on without you.

Dreaming of being lost at sea can be pretty scary, especially if the dreams details include a storm, darkness, a makeshift raft, and being alone. It is common to dream of the ocean, but what does it mean to dream of being lost in it?

According to the Dream Dictionary, this kind of dream and the context of it represents your current state of mind. If you find yourself lost and floating without a destination, that could signify your lack of direction in life. You may feel like you are overwhelmed or in a place in your life that you do not want to be in, (via Dreams and Sleeping).

Dreaming of being stranded at sea can mean you are ready for more stability, and that you might feel your thoughts and goals are not realistic enough, (per Aunty Flo). If your dream involved you surviving a tidal wave or storm, it represents your mental and emotional strength to combat the life's challenges. According to Aunty Flo It is common to dream of the ocean, which has been noted to have unique symbolic meaning to each dreamer.