Ever caught yourself staring out the window, cup of tea in hand, lost in a daydream? Well, you’re not alone. We asked the great British public what they find themselves dreaming or fantasising about, and the results reveal a lot about what’s going on in our collective noggins.
Spoiler alert: It’s a wild mix of ambition, escapism, and… office scandals. Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. winning the lottery (36%)
It’s no shocker that the top spot goes to visions of champagne-soaked yacht parties and waving goodbye to that overdraft. In true British style, we’d probably still pretend to complain about “all the admin” involved in becoming filthy rich. But let’s be honest, most of us would just settle for paying off the energy bill and buying that new kettle without guilt.
2. fantasising about your partner (28%)
Aw, how sweet! A solid chunk of Brits (more than 1 in 4 of us) dream about their significant other. Whether it’s a whirlwind romance in Paris or just imagining them finally fixing the leaky tap, love is alive and well. (Unless, of course, they’ve just eaten the last hobnob. Then it’s war.)
3. thinking about family (23%)
Family daydreams are wholesome, aren’t they? Or perhaps you’re just fantasising about the family reunion where you don’t have to sit next to Uncle Bob and his unsolicited Brexit opinions. Either way, many of us Brits have family at the forefront of our mind, even when we allow our minds to wander about a bit.
4. escaping the rat race (15%)
Ah, the classic British fantasy of packing it all in and moving to a beach hut in Bali. Sadly, most of us end up just fantasising about escaping for lunch, only to realise we forgot to pack one and end up stuck with a sad, over-priced meal deal.
5. job promotion or pay rise (14%)
Dreaming of that big corner office (or, let’s face it, just affording a second holiday a year)? We Brits are nothing if not an optimistic bunch. Though by the time the pay rise lands, inflation will probably have gobbled it all up. Cheers for that.
6. thinking about pets (13%)
Most Brits would rather spend time with their pets than other humans. We’re all dreaming of a world where our cats finally respect us, or where we can train the dog to not bark at the postman. But most of all, pets help us feel good. And so, those fantasising about their pets are most likely focussing on boosting their mood for a stolen moment or two.
7. meeting your favourite celebrity (11%)
Whether it’s sharing a pint with David Beckham or asking Mary Berry for baking tips, the celeb dream is alive and well. Although knowing Brits, if we actually did meet our idols, we’d probably just get flustered and ask them for directions instead.
8. playing with cute animals (9%)
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the 9% who are daydreaming about frolicking with kittens or hugging a baby alpaca. Honestly, this is exactly the kind of escapism we all need in January.
9. ahem… a work colleague (7%)
Well, well, well. 7% of you are sneaking cheeky little fantasies about Darren from accounting or Laura in HR. Just remember: while office romances make for great TV plots, they can make team meetings rather messy!
10. telling your boss or colleagues what you really think (6%)
Ever rehearsed the perfect mic-drop speech in your head? Who hasn’t? But let’s be honest, most of us would just panic and end up saying something like, “Thanks for the opportunity!” instead.
11. getting frisky with your boss or a work colleague (6%)
Erm… Okay, this got a little spicy. To the 6% of you dreaming about this: we hope you’ve got an airtight HR policy at your workplace.
12. fantasising or dreaming about your boss (5%)
We’re not judging, but… really? This one raises so many questions. Like, does your boss know? And more importantly, should they?
On the flip side, it could be that your boss is the source of all angst and torment and thus, even when you close your eyes and surrender to sleep, they still manage to invade your dreams. If this is the case, well, that’s just unfair on every level.
13. dramatic Bridget Jones-esque resignations (3%)
Picture it: you storm out of the office, flinging papers in the air, telling Patricia from accounts exactly where she can stick her spreadsheet. In reality, you’d probably just forget to hand in your key card.
And Finally… The Mysterious “Other” (19%)
Almost a fifth of those we surveyed are dreaming about something so unique we couldn’t even categorise it. Maybe it’s becoming a secret spy or inventing a tea that never goes cold. Whatever it is, we respect the mystery.
dreams and fantasies: final thoughts
So there you have it: the strange, hilarious, and oddly relatable things that keep the British mind entertained. If nothing else, it’s good to know we’re all dreaming big (or, at least, dreaming of cute animals). Now back to reality – unless you’ve just won the lottery. In that case, drinks are on you! Until next time, eve Sleep.
