“The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream.”

- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream.”
Explanation
This quote by Marilyn Monroe reveals a tender, melancholic insight into her inner emotional world, where sleep becomes more than rest—it becomes an escape and a sanctuary. In saying that sleep is “the nicest thing,” she hints at the pain or dissatisfaction she may have felt in waking life. For Monroe, dreaming offers a space where possibilities remain open, and where she can briefly experience peace, hope, or even happiness unburdened by reality.
The phrase “then at least I can dream” carries a dual meaning. On one level, it reflects a longing for the imagination and freedom dreams offer—something she may have found difficult to grasp in her daily life filled with pressures, heartbreak, and scrutiny. On another, it suggests a deep yearning for inner peace, as if dreaming is the only time she truly feels safe or unjudged. It is both a poetic and tragic admission of how far reality may have been from her desires.
Today, her quote resonates with anyone who finds solace in dreams during times of stress, loss, or emotional exhaustion. It serves as a reminder that for many, sleep is not just a physical necessity but a vital emotional refuge. Monroe’s words humanize her deeply, showing that beneath the fame was someone who, like so many others, found comfort in the quiet, unbounded freedom of her own inner world.
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