I’ve been having this reoccurring dream lately when I’m driving with my eyes closed. In this dream, I am frantically trying to open my eyes, panicking more and more as I accelerate, cringing at the thought that at any moment I’m going to crash. No matter how hard I try, I cannot pry my eyes open and I wake up with my heart beating out of my chest, adrenaline pumping, terrified.
It’s almost 2 AM. My adrenaline is pumping, having been startled awake by a very loud, very abrupt car alarm. As with most car alarms, everyone ignores it, hoping the owner will take care of the problem. Well, tonight, that owner was me. After what seemed like forever, I got out of bed, went downstairs and pressed the button on my car key just to make sure it wasn’t mine. But it was. So, now I am wide awake wondering if someone tried to break into my car tonight, but I’m not going down there to find out until the light of day, so here we are…a blog post. [Update at 6 AM – car seems to be fine]
I’ve been meaning to write more posts this year, but like many things we resolve to do in the new year, the time just slips away, our intentions left by the wayside in lieu of more pressing matters and life, which just seems to move along at an alarming (pun intended?) speed until something forces you awake one day to stop and look around.
So back to my dream.
Since it’s happened more than once and, unlike my other dreams, I wake up remembering and trying to calm myself down. The last time it happened (a few weeks ago), I went looking for the meaning of this distressing dream. According to Dream Moods, the dream dictionary,
To dream that you are driving a vehicle signifies your life’s journey and your path in life. The dream is telling of how you are moving and navigating through life. If you are driving and cannot see the road ahead of you, then it indicates that you do not know where you are headed in life and what you really want to do with yourself. You are lacking direction and goals.
To dream that you cannot open your eyes indicates that there is a waking situation that you are just plain refusing to see or acknowledge.
I’m not even going to begin to decipher that interpretation right now. There’s just too much to unpack. Lately, I’ve been really considering where my life is heading. I will be 40 years old in a few weeks and though I’m not totally freaking out, I’m a bit concerned at how fast it all went by. Wasn’t it *just* a few years ago that I was chasing and pinching boys before my Home Ec class in the 8th grade? And now I have an 8th-grade daughter that I’m advising to stay away from boys. Then, thinking about the fact that in another 40 years, I will be facing the last part of my life. Damn. No wonder why I keep waking up in a panic.
Is this how a mid-life crisis starts?!
So, it boils down to the question I had back in the 8th grade, and again in the 12th grade, and again at 18 years old, 20 years old, 29 years old, 34 years old and every year subsequent…where am I going in life and where do I want to go? And the answer has always been the same, unsure, nervous giggle in an awkward situation type, I don’t really know. Staring at the other side of 40 and I still am trying to navigate blindly through life. No wonder why my subconscious is having a field day. What am I refusing to see or acknowledge?
This last time, there were two details in the dream that I forced myself to remember:
- I pulled over near a school or field where kids were playing soccer.
- I took my daughter to the doctor and decided to ask him why I couldn’t open my eyes but when I got into the office, my eyes opened and I could see clearly again.
Throw those into the mix and you have all the ingredients for another sleepless night trying to untangle all this stuff. Someone who can see clearly, tell me what this means. And could you please take the wheel for a bit?
So, I *could* make an empty promise that I will blog more, but I’ve done that numerous times over the years and have failed. One thing I am consistently updating is my Instagram page. I post there daily and in my story, so if you want to see where I’m headed follow me on IG @hanssieh.
I LOVE UR blogs…im as confused as you are in some aspects…im 49 though..way over the hill…im living day by day n enjoy life with God by my side …hes got Me n he is my driver..
Aw thank you for reading!
And 49 is NOT over the hill. Age is a mindset. I don’t feel old, but I am tired of living day by day with no purpose or direction. I’d like this next chapter in my life to be about making things happen!
Great Blog. Then start making that chapter of your life now by doing that which makes you happy. Maybe after those many years of asking yourself the same thing, why don’t you look at it from the reverse. At 80, how would you want to be remembered? What are the things that you would wish to have done by then? Where will you be? And whom would you wish to be with? 🙂 Write a letter to your self bout all that and more so what you would have wished to do, maybe have have achieved. Then follow the letter backwards and you will know what to do now
Am in the process of writing mine and its not at all easy
Thank you for your advice, Kenrique! I will do some of these activities and I’m sure will be writing about my findings!
Well written! Well described! I really enjoyed this entry! If I were to add anything, your not lost or found. Your right where your supposed to be and your shining! Keep on shining Hanssie!
hanssie, i love reading your blogs, sounds like you’re well on your way to a happy, healthy and naturally energetic lifestyle, keep up the the good work and i agree, stay away from those sugar packed, heart attack bringing drinks!! Love your blogs, very inspiring!
Thank you, Joe, for reading! Have a wonderful day!
I have exact the same dream. Now and then. The question is how is it possible for two completely unrelated people to have same kind of dream with all the little details. This is very strange.
The mind is a weird thing!
I had the same dream last night it was scared in my dream I tryed my darkest to open my eyes in my dream it won’t let me I called out in my dream help me then I got up thinking about it I thought I was going to crash with out seeing and stoped the car
Hey Sal,
Yeah, those types of dreams can definitely be jarring. Hope whatever you’re trying to work through works out!
H
Having the same dreams – the significance is spiritual and I’ve prayed for revelation. God normally answers, May He give you am answer too.
It seems we’re going through life without a clear vision for the future (“Where there is no vision the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18).
Thank you for reading and sharing! Best of luck!
I just had this same dream the other night. I know for me, I am in transition in my career. Leaving nursing behind due to burn out and starting new journey as a life coach. I can relate to the fear and uncertainty of where I am headed. Also, not wanting to fully acknowledge what is in front of me (giving into fear) that making this change is scary, my mind/body/spirit can no longer support my career in emergency medicine. I keep trying to force the time frame before me. learning to meditate daily, be mindful and trust in the process with my eyes wide open.
Hey Victoria,
Yep! Changes and transitions can be scary and our subconscious definitely shows us how out of control we feel. Sounds like you are doing things exactly right. Good luck on your journey!
H
I have the same recurring dream. Last night I dreamed it again. This time my vision got so blurry I couldnt see and asked my husband to take the wheel. I have had a blind fold in n, Inhave been asleep in my dream wakingbtonrealize8noonenis driving as I bm hurl down the interstate. I know Jesusnis my spotter, he is driving. I am praying, seeking, asking.
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks for telling your story. Our subconscious are weird and amazing. Keep digging and I’m sure you’ll soon realize what its trying to tell you!
Hanssie
Hi Hanssie
I love reading and came across this because I’ve had a very similar dream twice this week.
I was about to continue reading a book but just thought I’d look this dream up first and ended up here and found myself thinking “this is very well written”. The paragraph in italics where you described how you felt when you woke up at 2am and the car etc., had me thinking this is like reading a suspense thriller.
Anyway, getting to the point, you said in one of your replies above that you’re tired of living day by day with no purpose or direction…
Why don’t think about writing a book? You clearly love writing and you write very well, drawing the reader in… it would give you purpose and direction.
Just a thought…
Enjoy each day ☺️
Marlene
Hi Marlene,
Thank you so much for reading and taking a moment to comment with such kind words.
I have thought about writing a book someday but it’s still sitting in my someday/maybe list. Not sure where I’d start but one day, who knows, maybe I’ll get inspired and do it.
<3,
Hanssie
God is awesome, to see someone else that has no direction or goals in later years of life let you know you’re not alone and it’s not too late. All I want is to be a light in darkness for people to see Jesus, only. Servant of God given him all the glory, praise, honor with all my heart, soul and mind for all the trails& tribulations he’s brought me through and keeping me with grace and mercy, Amen.
Hi Bessie,
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
H
Love this!! Thanks for sharing!!
❤️