You are growing as a person.  If you are experiencing a lot of change, growth, and evolution in your life that is related to who you are, you may have more dreams about dying. “Death [in dreams] symbolically represents the transitional phase between two major chapters of one’s life, so this type of dream shows you where you are changing and evolving into a new life or identity,” according to McRae. Your dream may represent the symbolic death of your past self – your outmoded views, old ways of doing things, and the skins you’re shedding as you evolve.

You are processing events or feelings from the past. Dreaming about your own death can be upsetting, but dreaming that you’ve already died is as unsettling. However, dreams like these may indicate that you’re subconsciously attempting to reconcile with prior events, feelings, relationships, or circumstances that you haven’t properly digested. “If you are subconsciously still processing changes that have occurred in your past, you may have dreams that you’ve died,” she adds.

“It could mean you’ve already undergone a major transformation (represented by death), but you’re not fully healed or integrated into the new awareness or life experience.” If this is the case for you, it is a solid indication that you should begin actively confronting your history and emotionally processing your experiences. Your life is changing dramatically.

Dreams about death can be caused by both personal growth and huge external events or adjustments in our lives. “Dreams that you’re dying are often communicating with you about transformations that are actively happening in your waking life,” according to McRae. “At the time you have this dream, you may be going through a major life change or turning point, such as changing jobs or moving to a new city.”

Use dreams like these as a reminder to reflect on the present changes or difficulties in your life. They may have a greater impact on you than you realize, so be aware of these changes and be kind to yourself as you go through them. You are dealing with a breakup or loss. Losing someone you care about through a breakup or a falling out might feel like death in some ways—and during these times, we’re also mourning the person we were while in the relationship.

These feelings might sometimes emerge as death in our dreams, which is quite normal. “If you are still healing from a breakup, you may dream of your own death,” she explains. “[That’s because] you’re still processing, mourning, or making sense of who you are without the identity of being in that relationship.” Take these dreams as a sign that you’re grieving and coming to terms with the closure you need in any recently concluded relationships.

You Should Make Changes in Your Life. Experiencing several life transitions can lead to death dreams. However, dreams involving your own death can also indicate that you have not made enough changes in your life and that it is time to act. “If you’re feeling stagnant or bland about life, dreaming of dying could be a call to action to make a passionately charged change,” McRae tells me.

“In order to have new beginnings, we sometimes need to take an active role in releasing what no longer serves us instead of being passive and waiting for change to knock at our doors.” If you’ve been hesitant to make major life changes or crucial decisions, a dream about dying may be a sign that it’s time to make some powerful movements and take control of your life.