Last night I had one of my recurring dreams of working at a restaurant. Years ago, I worked at restaurants as a server and a bartender. In my recurring dreams, I’m working again at restaurants, often forgetting I work there and missing shifts, not knowing the menu or table numbers, or being incredibly busy and having a hard time keeping up. In these dreams, coworkers and bosses seem to not mind; they seem to like me. In last night’s dream, I was working at a restaurant again. I was finishing my shift waiting tables when a coworker approached me to stay and cover his shift that afternoon until the next bartender got there. That would be several hours. I said I didn’t think I could do it because I didn’t know how to do everything because it had been so long. He said he didn’t want to have to stay several hours, and the manager said for me to stay. But I wasn’t scheduled to work that shift, only mine, so the manager could only ask me too and couldn’t make me work his shift. They were all being kind; it wasn’t a bad discussion. The manager thought it would be an honor to me to get to bartend that afternoon. I said it had been too long and didn’t remember how to do everything. But it dawned on me that I just didn’t want to do this anymore. I explained to the manager that my heart just wasn’t in it anymore. I realized it was good recognition to be invited to bartend. I appreciated it. But I just didn’t want to do this anymore. I was ready to do something new, something I cared about and was passionate about. Waiting tables was always exhausting, and bartending was even more so. I used to really enjoy it and the company, but now I want something new. I was ready to move on and forward in life.
Dreams about past work experiences, especially those that recur, often reflect underlying feelings about your current life circumstances, personal growth, or unresolved issues. In your case, the theme of working at a restaurant, especially one where you did work in the past, indicates a connection to your history and how it informs your present.
Here are some potential interpretations of your dream:
Patterns of Behavior: The recurring nature of the dream suggests that you might still be processing your time in the restaurant industry. The feelings of forgetting your responsibilities or feeling overwhelmed could indicate a fear of being unprepared or inadequate in new situations you're facing in your life now. It could reflect anxieties about entering new phases in your career or personal life.
Desire for Change: Your realization in the dream that you don’t want to continue in that line of work strongly signifies a desire for change and growth. You are recognizing that while you appreciated your past experiences, they no longer fulfill you. This could parallel your current state of mind where you want to pursue new passions or directions in life.
Self-Reflection and Confidence: The kindness of your coworkers and manager may suggest that there are supportive figures in your life acknowledging your past skills and experience. Despite feeling inadequate, this kindness might represent your inner support system, bolstering your confidence to move on. You have the wisdom and experience from your past that can guide you into your next chapter.
Transitioning to New Opportunities: The dream might serve as a reminder that it’s okay to acknowledge your past but also to let go of it. You are ready for new challenges that align more with your current passions. It reflects a transition phase, embracing change as a natural part of life.
Emotional Exhaustion: The exhaustion you felt working in the restaurant could symbolize burnout or feeling overburdened, connecting to how you may feel about other areas in your life today. This might also suggest that you are coming to terms with your limits and what no longer brings you joy.
In summary, this dream holds significant insight into your readiness for change and the importance of recognizing your past as a stepping stone for your future. It encourages you to pursue what truly resonates with your current values and desires, stepping forward with confidence and clarity.