Dream Log #1

Recently, I had a dream located in a school setting. Often, I tend to have these kind of dreams when there is a theme of "learning a lesson" or a need for reflection.

At this school, there were many kids who all wore white jerseys. I, however, did not start off wearing one. That didn't last long, as a fairy came by and *poofed* my drab shirt into something similar amongst the crowd. As a person who, in their waking life, has nervous tendencies being in unfamiliar places, I felt rather relaxed in this new space. I walked up and down the halls, looked around at everything that was going on, and briefly mingled with the cliques.

While the early afternoon seemed to be easy-going, the end of the school day proved to be the pinnacle of learning my "lesson". I had found an old backpack that I'd used in school years prior to having this dream. Ridden with nostalgia, I had decided that I wanted to take some things from the old backpack and put them in my current one. I started with putting some notebooks in, then some writing utensils, and eventually some other school supplies. I could not fit everything into my backpack. And so, I decided that I would sacrifice some items and consider what I really wanted to keep. I did not want to let go of the notebooks, so I got rid of small gadgets and miscellaneous trinkets. By the end, I came across a shiny, pink, cylindrical ruler. I was hesitant to let it go, but I decided that it was for the best. I zipped up my backpack and put the straps over my shoulder. I noticed my bag was still heavy, despite letting go of the many things I wanted to keep. Nevertheless, I went on my way. School was out.

-Introspection-

This was a rather easy dream for me to decode. In the beginning, I had contemplated why I became so content with being granted a white jersey like everyone else. It's significant to note that while everyone wore the same color, no one wore the same print or logo on their shirt. Had that have been the case, conformity would most definitely be the theme here. Instead, it looks more so like a case of finding my own place within a society. My laidback attitude throughout the day proves the latter.

The tidbit of picking things out from an old backpack is such a classic symbol of revisiting ideas from the past: deciding what values to hold on to and leaving behind what no longer serves me. I had to consider the opportunity cost of what I should save- minus the notebooks. As an avid note-taker, pen and paper kind of person, or however you'd like to call it, I couldn't help but feel like my inclination to write things down has translated well into this dream. It's almost as if, subconsciously in letting things go, I still keep a record of what those past ideas have taught me and how that prior knowledge has shaped me as a person. As a result of that, practicing temperance has been so much easier to integrate in my growth journey as I've gotten older.

The prominence of the oddly-shaped ruler suggests that perhaps I've contemplated letting go of measuring myself in particular ways. Looking back on the near past, I'd tend to present myself in some characteristic that no longer resonates with how I currently see myself. Having been the last and most reluctantly thrown away item, I've concluded that the ruler itself was not "bad". It's just that I've used it to measure up to external standards that were not my own or genuine. Regardless, it was an item that held memories of negative thought patterns and needed to be rescinded from my possession.

Most importantly, the distinction of a disorganized backpack being just as heavy as an overfilled one was what truly stuck with me. "Baggage", in this case, seems to hold both literal and metaphorical meaning. It just goes to show how sometimes when we free ourselves of existing clutter, we're still ultimately left with heaviness and disarray. Though, hopefully, one who finds themselves in this situation could acknowledge that having this epiphany is a crucial step in moving in the right direction.

In conclusion, there is no one approach to growing as a person, but reflecting on ourselves can surely give way on where to start and how to move foreword. I feel as though, societally, we are dissuaded to not ruminate much on the little things. Yet, establishing those step-one's are the most critical parts of understanding and flourishing oneself.

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Thank you so much for reading this story! I'd like to hear your thoughts on this interpretation or if you've had any similar dreams like this. This is my first story on Vocal, so if you'd like to hear more dream log content like this, let me know by commenting below, liking, or tipping me. -S