I was invited to swim with people. One was a guy I used to have a crush on. A friend in the dream who I don't know brought me to this place to swim. When we got there, the place where the guy I had a crush on was staying was a manmade room. Maybe it was on a boat, but it was way up high like a high diving board. There was a place to change, but all the rooms were very small. The toilet in the changing room which was a bathroom flushed water everywhere when I set my clothes on the lid. You had to climb over people and things to move around. It was very crowded in this little place. At the end of the room was the edge of the platform. I got on my stomach to look down at the water, which didn't appear deep enough to jump or dive into, so I thought I would have to walk down. On my way to the water, the scene changed into a bunch of people eating at a restaurant. My old crush was there. Eventually everyone's food came except I realized no one took my order. You could choose from a large steak or a whole chicken. I chose the chicken. The guy I used to have a crush kissed me and rubbed my belly.
In analyzing your dream, several key themes and symbols emerge that reflect your current emotional state, desires, and relationships.
Swimming with Others: Water often symbolizes emotion and the subconscious in dreams. Swimming suggests a desire to engage with your emotions or navigate through life's challenges. The fact that you were invited indicates openness and a willingness to connect with others. This also suggests a desire for community or companionship, as well as a specific interest in deepening connections with people around you.
The Crush and the Setting: The presence of the guy you used to have a crush on hints at unresolved feelings or nostalgia. Dreams of past crushes can reveal unprocessed emotions or a desire for romantic validation. The setting being a manmade room or a 'boat', particularly positioned high up, could symbolize a sense of vulnerability; you might feel exposed or elevated in your social interactions with him. High places in dreams often represent aspirations, fear of falling, or the need for a broader perspective on a situation.
The Crowded, Small Space: The cramped and chaotic environment, with difficulties moving around and the toilet flooding, suggests feelings of being overwhelmed or confined in your waking life. You might be experiencing challenges that feel too close or congested, making it hard to navigate your feelings or relationships. It could reflect anxiety about social situations or the fear that your emotional needs aren't being addressed.
Climbing Down to the Water: As you looked down at the water, the uncertainty about jumping or diving may symbolize your feelings about taking risks in your life. Since the water didn't seem deep enough to dive into, it could imply hesitation about truly immersing yourself in a situation or relationship. You may feel that you need to take a more gradual approach to whatever emotional or relational waters you contemplate entering.
Transition to the Restaurant Scene: The abrupt transition from swimming to a restaurant could signify a shift in your mind from emotional exploration to a more social or practical scenario. Restaurants often represent choices and fulfillment, linking back to your desire for connection and nourishment—both emotional and physical. The fact that you weren't served food as the others were highlights feelings of exclusion or being overlooked in social settings.
Choosing the Chicken: Choosing the whole chicken could suggest a preference for comfort or security over a more grand gesture (like the steak). This might indicate a longing for stability and the simpler aspects of relationships that feel hearty and fulfilling.
The Kiss and Belly Rub: The kiss from your crush represents intimacy and longing. The belly rub could symbolize warmth, comfort, and nurturing—in dreams, the abdomen often relates to the core self or feelings of safety and satisfaction. This action can indicate a desire for affection and reassurance in a relationship, signifying a potential shift toward a more intimate phase.
In summary, this dream reveals themes of emotional navigation, feelings of vulnerability, nostalgia for past connections, and a need for intimacy and comfort. It may be beneficial to reflect on your current relationships and emotional needs, assessing how you can express your desires or address fears in your waking life.