Alexis, your dream certainly carries a deep emotional resonance, as indicated by the high emotions level and the fact that it was a nightmare with negative feelings. The bedroom, traditionally a personal and safe space, becoming the setting for fear suggests feelings of vulnerability or anxiety about your personal life or mind. The presence of a figure with an exaggerated smile could symbolize a feeling of being judged or observed by others, or perhaps a sense of fake positivity that you might be encountering in your waking life.
The recurring action of the figure digging fingers into your waist and your attempts to fend it off may represent an ongoing struggle in your life. This could be related to boundaries being tested or a situation where you feel a loss of control. Successfully grabbing the fingers and causing the figure to retreat suggests that while the experience is frightening, you have a hidden strength or ability to confront the issues you're facing, even if they initially seem overwhelming.
The sensation of the grip on your side lingering after the figure has disappeared could suggest that the effects of these struggles or fears continue to be felt, even when the immediate threat is gone. This might mean that the impact of certain events or relationships in your life has a lasting effect on you, which could be worth exploring further.
Considering this dream occurred in your bedroom, the personal space where one should feel most secure, it's possible that there are aspects of your personal life or internal world that are currently causing you distress. Perhaps there is a situation or relationship that isn't as it appears on the surface, symbolized by the exaggerated smile, which is a common motif for masking true intentions or emotions.
It's important to reflect on the feelings this dream brought up for you and consider if there are parallels in your waking life. While this dream was unsettling, it also showed an inner resilience as you were able to push back against the intruding presence. This indicates that while challenges may be present, you have the strength to face and overcome them.