Daydreaming

I was the kid in class who often doodled and stared out the window. The teacher usually called me out for not paying attention, but I assumed everyone daydreamed like I did.

I remember a sixth-form biology class on a hot spring afternoon. The sun would stream into the room, and the students next to the windows would slowly roast; the drone of the teacher’s voice, the warm sun and mid-afternoon created the perfect environment to daydream. According to my exam marks, I retained about half of the curriculum, it was a dreary subject. I looked out to the market garden next door; the earth had just been turned over, waiting for the spring crop to be planted. For the first time, I noticed a tree in full blossom. It was an amazing pop of colour from a landscape dominated by greens and browns. It was a visual revelation.

Why do we daydream? Daydreaming allows you to uncover thoughts and ideas that you might not realise you have, helping you look deeper beneath the surface of your thoughts. It frees your mind, allowing it to roam.

While some daydreams are mundane, others could be extravagant. What all daydreams have in common is that they are always centred around you.

Daydreaming is very common, yet people tend to have negative perceptions of it. Terms such as “off with the fairies” and “zoning out” label daydreaming as futile and daydreamers as lazy and inattentive.

When we daydream, our minds wander to faraway places, putting us in a dream-like state even while fully awake. Letting your thoughts roam can be revitalising.

Daydreaming is an excellent mental exercise because it allows you to imagine scenarios without risks or real consequences. During daydreaming, you can forge new associations and connections between your conscious and unconscious thoughts, which can be helpful when dealing with a situation you’ve been pondering.

You can enhance your creativity by escaping reality, even for a brief moment. While there are times when attention is crucial, everyone needs a break, making it essential to allow your mind to daydream.

Does Alice dream? I’ve watched her fall asleep, followed shortly after by adorable noises, twitches, and movements. We might think of these behaviours as “puppy dreams.” But do dogs dream? Apparently, they do.

I wonder if she counts tennis balls to fall asleep.

Daydreaming, Oil on Linen 95 cm x 180 cm