[NewZelandKing117]

A little Context:
I'm currently with a wonderful woman and have been for 5 years. On a whole our relationship is sound. I had strong feelings for a different girl when I was younger but a relationship never materialized. There was always a strong feeling of 'What would it have been like' and there's still some of those lingering feelings today.

The Dreams:
I've been having several dreams a month about this old childhood sweetheart. The dreams vary from just appearances from the old flame to full on centralized dreams around the 'what would it have been like' subject. A lot of the time I can't remember what the dreams were about but i just think about her afterwards. This puts my mind in a strange place for days and it affects my relationship with my girlfriend (without her knowing too much).

Has anyone had anything similar to this? What on earth do I do?

I'm still in contact with the girl from the past because we've known each other for 18+ years and I don't like losing contact with people from my past that I enjoyed time with.

[CANDC]

Welcome to Psych Central. Our dreams can be a wonderful source of healing and inspiration. I find my own dreams mean the most to me and I understand what they mean empathicly. For more on dreams see here
How to Analyze Your Dreams (And Why It?s Important) | Psych Central

So glad you joined the Psych Central community. I have felt it is a safe and nurturing environment. Hope you feel comfortable here too.

Many people who are actively involved in Psych Central find it helps take them out of their own problems to develop empathy for others. And their problems though still there are more manageable.

There are lots of compassionate people here that can make the load lighter by sharing and caring. Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central. Some people find the forums give them the compassion and empathy they seek. http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[MusicMike]

This old sweetheart could symbolize the "feminine within." According to some psychological theories, within each man is an inner woman who serves as a helper, guide, and source of feminine characteristics (compassion, empathy, etc.) It could be that your unconscious mind is concerned with your relationship with the inner feminine. To differentiate that from your current "outer" relationship, a different person is chosen as the symbol. I think it's common for women or girls we knew early in life to be chosen as symbols for the feminine within. I recently had a dream about a sweet girl I knew in grade school and haven't thought consciously about in 20 years.

[Thunder Bow]

Maybe you feel feel your present realationship is not like what you would like it to be, so you long for the other person you are still in touch with. You mind may feel better being with the other person. Thus you fantisize what that other relationship may bring things in to life that your current relationship does not have.

[Ruftin]

Hello and welcome to Psych Central NewZealandKing!!! It's nice to meet you. You have joined a community of warm and caring members who will want to offer you support and advice. Yours is welcome as well.

Please feel free to contact any community liaison or moderator by left clicking on their name in blue to the left of their post if you need help navigating the forums. It will take some time for your first five posts to appear as they are being evaluated and then you will be able to join chats.

You'll find we have a safe and supportive community. I'm glad you've joined us.

I can't interpret dreams but I'm glad to see you have already received responses from other members. I just wanted to come by and say welcome.

I look forward to seeing you around!!!