Dreams about being late – what do they mean? (Dream interpretation being / running late)
Dreams about being late – what do they mean?
Being late/running late is a very common theme in dreams and is among the ten most common dream themes. There are several approaches to what running late in a dream might mean – these are described below.
Being late in a dream as an image of finding it difficult living up to your own demands or the demands of others. We live in a time where the pressure of expectations is huge – from society, from parents and last but not least (I am tempted to say), from ourselves. When we dream that we are late or that we are about to be late, it is often because we are fighting a battle to achieve more than we can actually handle.
If you feel that this interpretation is relevant to you then the dream is a clear signal that you are currently about to wind down and re-prioritize what is most important in your life – and then focus on that. People who work in jobs with many “here and now” performances often dream about being late. In times of exams, job interviews and other high-performance situations, dreams about being late are also very normal.
–
When trying to understand your dreams it is important to know that your dreams are… your dreams. As such, you are the best person to figure out the true meaning of your dreams.
However, it is important to learn how to generally approach your dreams. Dream dictionaries like this one are only a supplement, and if you want to fully utilize the potential of your dreams, you should start at a different place.
My online course “Unlock your DREAMlife” gives you a great foundation for understanding (and recalling) your dreams.
–
Being late in a dream as a symbol of a needed change in life or a hope of change in life.
Dreams about being late can also symbolize an unconscious fear of missing an opportunity or missing out on something critical – for example, developing your relationship, raising a family, etc. In this way, a dream about being late can be a type of “wake-up call.” Perhaps a type of “pull yourself together now before it’s too late (or you will be single/stay in that job/be unemployed forever).”
It is not uncommon for women to dream about being late when they approach menopause, i.e. it will soon be “the last chance” to get the first or last child. Similarly, a dream about being late might illustrate that now is the last chance to make a career change – following your dream of becoming self-employed , improving your photography skills, etc.
Dream dictionaries are a very helpful tool when interpreting dreams. However, generally learning how to approach your dreams, will give you a better foundation for understanding them. My online course “Unlock your DREAMlife” teaches you how to much better utilize – recall and understand – your dreams.
Return to the index of dream themes and symbols:
Dream interpretation A-Z ↵
Also read: Why I no longer interpret dreams for free
NOTE: Dreams are 100% individual, and when you dream about being late, it is almost certainly about something else for you than it is for your friend, who also dreamt about being late. Dream interpretation / dream analysis is sometimes a difficult art, and a particular interpretation of a dream is only correct if you feel truly affected by it. Therefore, it is not certain that the above-mentioned interpretations are relevant to you.
I had two similar dreams that were back to back. In both dreams, something out of my control happened that made me late and missed the chance to meet my dad (who has been passed away for almost 4 years now). The first dream was vivid, but less so now because this happened a week ago. In the first dream I thought I had more time than I had and I was supposed to meet him but was already 30 minutes late before I awoke and fell into a second dream where I was supposed to meet him. In the second dream, I was planning to be early and was sitting outside a condo when suddenly there was a fire in one of the units – I ran up to stair to my unit as the building was clearing out to make sure I didn’t have any candles on. When I went in some people followed and kept lighting candles in the unit. I went around blowing them out even though they were lighting then again and then I pleaded with them to stop so we could get out of the building. I was also conscious that know I would be late to meet dad, about 30 minutes late. I got most of the candles out and got to the bottom of the candle but felt it was already too late to meet dad.
I just had a dream that I was late for school, I was trying to get a cab but seems like all drivers are ignoring me and if there is anyone who’s stop, it ended up still being delayed. I was feeling so anxious. What could be that means?
I had a dream that I was in a ship with some people I don’t know and so they had hospitality, busy giving us massages in hot mud .until we were at some place inside that mud being massaged by monkeys and they tickled me until it was painful I tried screaming but it was as if I didn’t have a voice, the monkeys kept on saying even if you realise now it’s too late, I woke up and I had my arms above my head on the bed lying on my back like I was in the dream
Hi
I had a dream that I let my son and his friend go to the fair on holiday. He was gone for a while. I rely anxious in the dream and on our way to him we had to pay for our camp site. As we were on our way we went through these small rooms where people were showering and getting drinks at the bar. I was going panicky as another persons son had come back but mine had not. Then I woke
I dreamt that I was in some place (which I couldn’t recognise). I had to take a train back home from there. I had been there for some study. I lost track of time and had not packed to get on the train. I was sure of missing the train, hence rushed to the railway station to change my travel time to the next available train. In the process I approached few people but couldn’t get the change.
I have had 2 dreams where I was late to an exam.. I was so confused and so slow in the dream..
I had a dream I was running late to an event. I was 15 minutes behind schedule, and my car wouldn’t start. For some reason I ran down towards a river and I barely caught a boat. The river was clear and calm, but the bit began to sink about 10 feet away from the other side. I swam to the end and for some reason kept going. Then when I got to the event, I saw my friend waving to me from a side door, so I went in the building. Then we went up a flight of stairs and all of the sudden we’re in a shooting situation. A man in a ski mask pulled out a military grade gun and told us to turn around, face the wall, and put our hands on our heads. Then he shot my friend, then me. I didn’t die, but I pretended to be dead. I lied there for a while and then for some reason I got up and went back to the river. The dream ended when I was back at the dock. I have absolutely no idea what this is supposed to mean.
I dreamt I was late in a school choir though am not a student,and when I arrived I found they had already started the training of which I didn’t give up and I was trying very hard to catch up with them
Had a dream that i was late to pick up my son from school.i remember looking at the time, it was 2:00 and he gets out at 2:30. In the dram there were no working trains and buses. I wasnt able to get anywhere and was super anxious and worried especially about my son. I ended up asking someone to drive me to his school. I remember getting into the car and were driving but idk what happens next. Idk if i got him or not. Im also having dreams about a baby. Mostly me watching someone else baby. Would really love advice on these dreams. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had a baby dream. And no im not pregnant.
Hi Kenya, and thank you for your comment and interesting dreams! I expect that you do have a son in real life. An obvious question would be; is this anxiety something that you do experience now and then (or everyday)? I.e. some kind of (unconscious) fear that you won’t be able to make it before your son gets out? And thus, you dream about it. Or – the dream might say that you maybe worry too much about caring (enough) for your son? The dream might invite you to take a serious look at how your son is truly doing, case is, he might be doing fine, but you tend to not see that. These are just thoughts, as I only have your description to relate to (dreams should always try to be linked to the waking life situation). And then the baby dream – did you read the post on babies occurring in dreams (despite not being pregnant)? This post could give you some ideas as to what your baby-dream might mean. Best regards – Michael
Two days ago I have a dream that I missed my heat in a swim meet. I have not been swimming for a couple of months, and I missed it, but I do not know what this means- I have since joined back in swimming, and I am not sure if that will help or not. I am usually late for things.
I had a dream I reached late at home because I was making a cake with someone.
Everyone is sleeping and one door of my house is open where I entered.
I’ve had two dreams where I was late for an event. The first one was a fieldwork. I was chosen to come to this fieldwork and anyone who comes late will be left behind. So I came late but fortunately, they were still there waiting for me.
The second dream was about a yearbook photography session. It was the day of the yearbook photoshoot and we were ask to wear something with a collar. I don’t wear that much collared shirt so I struggled finding one that in my closet. Needless to say I was in the class picture on that yearbook.
I. dreamt arriving late at my farewell party that was arranged by my boss I was regretting why I have resigned and when I arrived in the party hall my boss was gone already, my sisters yelled at me for arriving late
Hello. I had a dream that I was late for the final show of my school production. All the teachers I ran past kept yelling at me. When I finally got on stage, I had the wrong outfit on aswell as no stick (we danced with that). It was a disaster, the teacher stopped the music and I threw someone else’s stick to the back of the stage. I went to pick it up but the teacher got there first and started breaking it, piece by piece, throwing it to the floor whilst saying, “You wanted to throw it, now pick up some more!” – One of the children gave me “Zulu Glue” and I started sticking the wood together.
I am a big fan of what dreams are trying to tell us and am extremly confused about this one. Any help is very appreciated.
Thank you.
I had a dream that I was late for school. (School starts at 8:55) and it was 9:30. I heard my mum come down stairs and I broke down crying saying I’m going to be late. I think it is pressure ty
Im always having dreams about being late for work, i mean always, if i dream about a workplace i have previously been employed at, or my current place of employment 99.9% of the time im extremerly late!? I feel anxious, nervous, and have a deep sense of worry, had a dream this morning about being 5hrs late??!
Had a dream of missing a tennis match. I used to play Davis cup 20 years ago and dreamt that I was wearing a tennis shirt brand with a Union Jack symbol which doesn’t symbolize my country. Had to rush back to the hotel and many other delay came in the way. Dreamt of letting my team and spectators down.
So I believe your explanation of thiis dream makes it very clear why I’m having this. Thank you.
Hi
My dream was that I was trying to get to the graduation ceremony. I was gathering up all my things, like clothing for example it was a college campus sort of setting. I thought that there was time to arrive early but I kept wasting time and at the exact time of my arrival everybody was leaving. Also, I remember that while packing the clothing I noticed that someone stole a big part of it. I have been thru a big change in my life, I think that the meaning of the dream is important, will really appreciate any help , so thanks in advance and best regargs.
Hi Juan – and thank you for your comment and highly interesting dream! I truly appreciate you asking for my help, but I am sorry to say, that I have decided to no longer help out in this way, as I get very many requests every day (on this website, on my Danish equivalent website, and via e-mail). I simply cannot keep up with them. Instead I offer help through Skype/telephone – you can read more here: http://www.michaelrolsen.com/dreamcoaching. Best regards -Michael
I had a very similar dream recently. I have been through lot of unexpected changes in my life and it is really important for me to know what message was it from God in my dream . I would really appreciate if you got any interpretation of your dream and would like to share with me.
Hi,
Just had a dream about being late for high school first thing in morning, and close to picking my phone up to say I’ll be 30mins late for lesson.
Reading the analysis of these dreams has helped and reads true.
I’m in the middle of a BIG house renovation project, in a relationship and deciding on making a baby to moving abroad.
I had a dream that I arrived at the exams hall late and was made to stand outside but later I was asked to come in and sit beside a first class student by one newly ordained pastor. please what does it mean.