I was friends and possible romantic interest with my crush from college who was valedictorian, and lived next to me in residential college dorm housing two years in a row. He seemed open to encounter with me but I never had the courage. We were in that setting or similar, something akin to friendly love. I loved him. Our classmates/colleagues were around. Something productive, academic, meaningful we were doing? Then I was in Japan. I was pretty sure that I was really here, and not just dreaming. I was looking up old acquaintances and friends here. I was walking past a hair salon, stepped in with help from Aoyagi san’s mother (my primary school friend). I had quick conversation with hairstylist. I sat down at restaurant and the young girls seated invited me to the course pre fixe dinner, handed me a menu. It would be free. The only thing was for some reason I had had plastic surgery on my face, my eyes nose mouth were different. I was asking ms Aoyagi if it would eventually naturally go back and she wasn’t sure but said maybe, yes, but it would take time. I can still see my face, I noticed in dream I looked more Asian, like those girls who do plastic surgery to get double eye lids. This was different experience, not necessarily bad, but I missed my real face. The hair salon, the restaurant, the bookstore, the city open to exploration, everything was paradise like.
This dream is rich in symbolism and can reflect several aspects of your inner thoughts and feelings. Let's dive into each segment to interpret its meaning:
Setting with Your Crush: The dream begins in a college setting, a familiar place tied to youthful experiences, learning, and personal development. Being with your crush, whom you admired for their accomplishments (valedictorian), could symbolize desires for intellectual connection, validation, and personal achievements. Your dream might reveal an unfulfilled longing to act on this old relationship, representing either a desire to connect with someone from your past or an encouragement to pursue new, meaningful connections in life.
Sense of Community: The presence of classmates and colleagues indicates a supportive community. This may reflect your needs or desires for social approval and a sense of belonging.
Traveling to Japan: Japan represents adventure, exploration, and new experiences. Being suddenly in a country like Japan, known for its rich culture and innovation, might symbolize a desire for change or personal growth. It suggests a readiness to explore unknown territories in your life or embark on new chapters.
Reconnecting with Old Friends: Looking up old acquaintances could reflect a desire to reconnect with your roots or aspects of your identity that have been neglected. It’s also possibly emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships and valuing shared history.
Hair Salon and Hairstylist Interaction: A hair salon symbolizes transformation and self-expression. Seeking the help of Aoyagi-san’s mother indicates guidance from a maternal or authoritative figure, advising you in navigating personal changes.
Invitation to Dinner: Being invited to a free meal by young girls suggests feelings of acceptance and inclusion. This scenario also denotes hospitality and kindness, reflecting a welcoming phase in your personal or social life.
Plastic Surgery and Changed Features: This element of the dream touches on identity and self-perception. The discomfort with your new look highlights insecurities or struggles with how you present yourself to the world. The surgery might indicate forced changes or societal pressures altering your natural state. The reassurance from Ms. Aoyagi about the possibility of change reverting suggests hope and patience for self-acceptance.
Reflecting Different Cultural Identity: Looking more Asian could imply exploring or embracing different aspects of your cultural identity, or perhaps adapting to new environments. This transformation is not entirely negative, as it offers a chance for personal exploration, even though there's a part of you that longs for familiarity.
The dream seems to be encouraging personal growth through exploration, connection, and acceptance of changing identities. It highlights the importance of embracing new experiences while acknowledging the nostalgia and essence of your untainted self. You appear to be on a path seeking transformation, community, and understanding of your own identity, blending past experiences with future aspirations.