I woke up certain that a friend had died.

There was no doubt in my mind. I mourned, and lamented having not spoken with them in years.

I can’t stress enough how real the memories felt. I remember discussing the death in the work place. Joining social media conversations. Arranging photographic tributes. I was convinced that it actually happened.

Only as I woke fully did I realise it was a dream. For one thing, I haven’t worked in an office for almost a year. I needed to be awake to connect those dots.

But still, the solidity of the dream stayed with me. I revisited it, and the feeling of loss, throughout the day. It reminded me how effective the brain is at fabricating shit and making it seem real.

I find all this stuff fascinating, and I think it’s time to do more reading around the subject.