Having a dream of being trapped usually has something to do with feelings of frustration. We might feel “trapped” somewhere, or by someone. Vivid dreams about being trapped can give us a clue on exactly what or who is our trap that causes such feelings.
The clues are represented by dream symbols that we see in a dream and recollect seeing after waking up. In this article, we’re going to cover the most likely meanings of dreams about being trapped, starting with general interpretations, and ending with more specific dreams.
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Meanings of Dreams About Being Trapped
1. You’re Frustrated With Your Work
If you dream about being trapped, it could be that you’re stuck in a dead-end job. Maybe you’re feeling that you’ve already hit your ceiling in the company. Maybe you don’t have enough creative freedom or think that your talents aren’t being utilized.
Such dreams are very frequent when people don’t just dislike their job but even dread it. If any of these feelings are something that you’re currently experiencing, it would be best to start looking for a new job.
Job-hunting is a time and energy-consuming process, and sometimes, it’s just the wrong time to look for a change. If that’s the case, you can try talking to your supervisor and attempting to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties.
There’s a possibility that you’re one brief conversation away from being utilized much more at your job, and there isn’t anything to lose.
2. You’re In a Bad Relationship
Having a dream about being trapped could be a result of you feeling so in your romantic relationship. It could be a sign that your partner is toxic and isn’t treating you well, be it emotionally or physically.
It doesn’t even matter how you’re being mistreated. The fact remains that no romantic relationship should make you feel trapped. It’s even possible that you aren’t being mistreated, and your relationship isn’t toxic. However, if you feel frustrated and trapped, it might be time to leave.
Whether it’s a relationship with your new boyfriend or girlfriend or a bad marriage lasting decades, you don’t owe your partner anything, and you have to put yourself first. It’s especially true if you have already done your best at trying to salvage the relationship.
However, many people stay in such relationships because they don’t think that they deserve any better or are gripped by the fear of being alone.
If that applies to you, you should understand that such concerns are never grounded in reality and might even be a result of you being manipulated by your partner.
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3. You Have Too Many Obligations
The feeling of being stuck, and thus a dream about being trapped, can be caused by you having too many responsibilities in your waking life. Maybe your current job position is too demanding, or you’re taking care of too many people in your personal life.
Regardless of your obligations, it’s likely that there are simply too many things or people depending on you. Successfully carrying a lot of responsibility can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in life, but it can also lead to a complete disaster.
If you’re spreading yourself too thin and working too hard, burnout is unavoidable. Sooner or later, you’ll break and everything around you will collapse. To avoid it, make sure to give yourself a break once in a while.
Schedule some quality “you” time every week, and regard it to be as important as your other obligations. Relaxing and resting are essential to avoid feeling trapped and remain consistent even during the most trying periods of your life.
4. You Haven’t Overcome Traumatic Experiences
Dreaming about being trapped can be indicative of you not having dealt with some terrible events from your past. Such experiences can leave deep psychological and spiritual wounds that can take years or even decades to heal.
However, life goes on, and you must allow yourself to accept whatever has happened to you. Remember – traumatic experiences don’t define you. You’re a beautiful person who has a lot to give to those around you.
If you have recurring dreams about being trapped and suspect that the reason for that is your unresolved trauma, consider seeking professional help. Therapy or just counseling can be immensely useful in overcoming trauma. If you don’t feel like talking to a stranger about it, you can start by expressing your feelings to the closest people that you trust.
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5. You Are Going To Solve Your Problems
Having a dream about being trapped but eventually escaping to a sanctuary can be a sign that you’re about to solve all of the problems that have been torturing you for a while. Even if it doesn’t seem possible at the moment, don’t forget that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Keep persevering and you’re destined to overcome any obstacle that’s blocking your path. It’s only a matter of time until you’ll escape the metaphorical trap in your waking life and find your sanctuary of fulfillment.
Dream Meaning By Trap Type
There are many different types of traps, and each of them requires a different dream interpretation. Here are some of the most common traps that appear in dreams:
1. Bear trap – You Have Repressed Desires
A bear is a wild animal that doesn’t use rationale and is fueled by instincts. As a result, having a dream about being caught in a bear trap could be a sign that you feel frustrated by repressed desires that you can’t satisfy.
If you want to break free of this frustration, the first step you have to take is accepting that you have such desires, and admitting to yourself that they are a part of you.
2. Maze – You’re in a Difficult Situation
If you have a dream of being stuck in a maze-like structure that you can’t escape no matter how hard you’re trying, it could mean that you’re currently feeling lost in your waking life. Maybe you’re experiencing problems in your personal relationships, or are going through a difficult period at work.
Hundreds of possible paths you can take in a maze can also symbolize your indecisiveness regarding some difficult decision that you have to make. The frustration of not being able to exit the maze represents your failing to pick one option out of many that are on the table.
3. Stuck Under Earthquake Debris – Someone Broke Your Trust
Earthquakes cause buildings to collapse, just like a breach of trust results in your personal world getting destroyed. Dreaming about being trapped under earthquake debris could be a representation of a betrayal that you’ve experienced recently.
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4. Large Building – You Bit Off More Than You Can Chew
If you dream about getting lost in a large building, it could mean that you aimed too high and are about to fail miserably. Having high hopes and ambitions is great, but sometimes we bite off more than we can chew.
Maybe you’ve started a business and your plan wasn’t realistic, and now you’re stuck with unsold inventory. While at first, it might only be a financial problem, it can quickly leak out into other areas of your life, like a romantic relationship.
5. False Awakening – Your Daily Routine Is Suffocating You
Having a dream where you wake up normally and start your day as you would in your waking life is called false awakening. Sometimes, it even leads to a dream loop, which is experiencing multiple false awakenings one after another during a single night.
Such dreams represent you feeling stuck in your daily life. Chances are, your daily life and routine are slowly suffocating you. Such a situation, if unaddressed, most often leads to depression, and it becomes much more difficult to solve it after the fact.
So if you’re getting trapped in dream loops frequently, take a deep look at yourself and think about whether you’re living the life you want to live, or whether you’re just existing.
6. Trapped Underwater – You’re Ignoring Your Subconscious Mind
Deep water in dreams usually represents your subconscious and unconscious mind. Thus, if you dream about being trapped underwater, it means that you’re not listening to your intuition and are repressing some parts of your personality.
If such a dream is recurring, it means that your subconscious is trying its best to send you a message, but you keep ignoring it, whether willingly or accidentally.
7. Mouse Trap – You Are Taking Things Too Seriously
You can’t really get caught in a mouse trap, and stepping into one doesn’t hurt much. As a result, having a dream about it can be a sign that you’re taking things too seriously. Maybe you’re stressing yourself out over nothing, or maybe you have a habit of overthinking everything way too much.
It causes unnecessary anxiety in your life, which can cause many problems in your current life.
8. Landmine Trap – You Aren’t Aware of Potential Dangers
Having a dream where you’re going through a field full of landmines could mean that you aren’t aware of something important in your waking life. Maybe you’re acting too reckless, or aren’t seeing some issue that must be dealt with as soon as possible.
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