Jantzen, it's interesting that you've had such a vivid dream involving your cousin Alex and a baby elephant. In dream symbolism, elephants often represent memory, strength, and wisdom. They can also be associated with a sense of responsibility or burdens. Given these associations, the baby elephant in your dream could symbolize an aspect of yourself or a new responsibility that you feel is precious and in need of protection.
Your cousin holding on to your back might signify feelings of being held back or supported by family ties or expectations. It's possible that your subconscious is processing your emotions surrounding your autonomy and the influence of family on your life choices. The fact that you experienced negative feelings during the dream might indicate an inner conflict in your waking life about the balance between familial obligations and your personal goals or desires.
Considering your age and the stage of life you are in, it's not uncommon to encounter such themes in your dreams. Being a young adult, you may be facing decisions that shape your future, and the image of saving a baby elephant could represent the weight of these decisions. Alex's presence in the dream and his interference could reflect your perception of family dynamics and the impact they have on your sense of independence.
The dream, although not a nightmare or having a high intensity of emotions, still left you with negative feelings. This suggests that while the dream isn't causing severe distress, it is touching on sensitive issues that are important to you. Reflecting on these themes could be beneficial in understanding your feelings towards autonomy and familial relationships.
In the context of being single and possibly navigating personal growth and self-discovery, the dream could be highlighting the importance of asserting your own path, even when faced with familial pressures or expectations. It's a gentle reminder from your subconscious to consider how you balance your sense of duty and your personal growth journey.