Most of the time, when I remember them, dreams don't feel like just "dreams," subconscious fantasies. Usually dreams I wake up from feel as real, if not even more real, than my waking life. And I remember them like actual experiences rather than just figments of the imagination.
With my memory problem of not remembering most of my lived past, dream memories are often easier to recall than my regular life. It's really strange to have intense dream experiences & then wake up to my boring, mundane waking life. Feels like I'm alive just to dream.
@Astartiel There is an H.P. Lovecraft story or two that explores that theme.
@Astartiel His writing is still fresh. His social viewpoints a bit less so.