In my dream I live in an apartment building on the top floor, and am woken up by someone outside the window. I see my friend jumping from her balcony. I think, “Oh no, she’s committing suicide,” which seems odd, because she’s a very happy person. I shout, “What are you doing?” and she shouts back, “It’s just a fire drill, and we all have to leave, so jump!” I tell her, “Why would I jump from such a great height when there is no real fire?” –Dorothy, 39, Queensland, Australia

Lauri: Your friend is not playing herself, but rather is some part of you that wants to bail on some project or situation. You describe her as a happy person, so she very likely is standing in for the part of you that wants to be happy. The discussion you have with her in the dream is a discussion you are having with yourself, the part of you that wants out in order to be happy, and the part of you that feels the need to stay put. Notice how you tell her she is mad and that you won’t jump from such a great height. This is a good indication that the bigger part of you feels you have too much vested in this situation and that getting out is a bad idea.

Dorothy replies: I do have a business I’ve been running for eight years and am quite worn out. Half of me says to sell it, I could get good money for it. But I have spent so many years getting to where it is today. I don’t know what to do, so I think I’ll just plod along and see what happens.