You know how a good dream makes you feel great? And a bad dream does the exact opposite? So what do dreams mean, and how can they help you kick negative thoughts to the curb and improve your life?

Sometimes they are seemingly random. Other times they are obviously about a life event or struggle. Have you considered what your dreams are telling you?

Some psychologists put a lot of stock in dreams, considering them higher forms of contemplation. Makes sense if you think of dreams as distraction free thought that is much more intuitive than our ordinary daily thoughts.

Not only are dreams interesting, but may be tools to a better life. By paying attention to what your mind is mulling over while you catch your Zs, you can unveil what’s troubling you, working for you, and even gain help in making decisions.

Carl Jung may have been one of the original believers, but dream symbolism is becoming increasingly popular. While dreams are as individual as the dreamer, there are certain themes that seem to run true. Jung disciple and psychotherapist, Carder Stout, recently did a fascinating interview with GOOP that went further into the dream/reality connection.

Stout says not only do our dreams connect with our subconscious, but with universal archetypes. For instance, those naked in public dreams that crop up from time to time? You may be feeling vulnerable or unprotected in some way. Dreaming of a scary woman, maybe even someone you know? This isn’t so much about them as you, representing a part of our own personality that we aren’t so crazy about. And every mother out there is likely familiar with the misplaced child nightmare. Guess what, that one is not a premonition of bad parenting, but a signal that you may be denying the childlike qualities in yourself and need to have more fun. What a relief!

Ready to delve deeper into your own psyche? Start by making notes on dreams in the morning and see if you can come up with real life connections that speak to you. Or type your dream character or symbol into DreamsCloud, a free app that shares insights and scenarios on dreams. Read up on dream interpretation with “Your Mind at Night: Dream Interpretation Guide for Beginners” by Frances Long and “Beginner’s Guide to Dream Interpretation: Uncover the Hidden Riches of Your Dreams with Jungian Analyst“.

Think of dreams as meditation while you sleep, opening up greater insight into the true you. What do you think? Interested in dream analysis?

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If people telling you to think positively makes you want to vom… well, welcome to the club. Would you care for a half empty glass of water?

If I’m having a shit day, the last thing I want to hear is “everything’s going to be alright,” or “it could be worse,” or I need to “find the silver lining.” Just because my day wasn’t as bad as someone else’s doesn’t give anyone the right to trivialize my feelings and encourage me to be all kittens-and-sunshine during sucky moments in life.

If I was homeless, missing a limb, and a wheel just fell off my shopping cart, I can guarantee there’d be someone nearby to say, “At least you have a shopping cart.” I can also guarantee they’d end up under it.

Pessimism gets a bad rap, as if being a pessimist means you’re an unhappy, negative sourpuss who never sees the good in life—but this couldn’t be further from the truth. We’re just not fans of suppressing our dark side and pretending it doesn’t exist.

Called “defensive pessimism,” it’s a way to mentally and emotionally prepare for what might go wrong. You know, in case it does. Our mantra is, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” We set lower expectations (but expectations, nonetheless), so that if something goes wrong, we can handle it like a boss—and if nothing goes wrong, we’re uber-grateful and take the time to celebrate.

If it weren’t for pessimism, we’d never evolve. We’d never set goals. We’d never learn from our mistakes. We’d never grow. Dissatisfaction fuels us forward. I mean, if we were supposed to think positively all the time then we would, no?

It’s important for us to be both positive and negative—if you’re having a good day, then say so. But if you’re not, don’t pretend you are. How are you supposed to make tomorrow better if you’re not acknowledging what’s wrong today? Case in point: Global warming. Your glass can’t be half full in an effing drought.

Here’s why you should always think positively about being a pessimist:

1. Pessimism = motivation

Sure, defensive pessimists have low expectations, but that also means you’re more likely to exceed them and thrive. Bam.

2. Pessimism decreases anxiety

The harder you try to ignore your negative thoughts, the more intense they become. If you’re feeling anxious about a particular situation, you can use defensive pessimism to prepare for the outcome you’re worried about and come out on top.

3. Pessimism gives you a leg up

Because you’re more prepared for what could go wrong, you’re more likely to have a back-up plan in place. After all, how is everything going to be alright unless you make it so?

4. Pessimism may help you live longer

Just because you plaster on a smile to ward off health issues typically linked to being a pessimist (like depression and heart disease) doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. In fact, a 2013 study found pessimists are more likely to live longer due to their cautious nature. So there.

How do you feel about positive thinking?

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