Dani, it sounds like your dream was quite an adventure with layers of symbolism we can unpack. The scattered clothes and the difficulty with washing your face may suggest a feeling of disorganization or unpreparedness in your waking life. These elements, along with the mix-up regarding the meeting location, could be reflecting anxiety about being ready for important events or transitions, perhaps linked to responsibilities at work or in personal projects.
The fact that your mother drove you indicates a reliance on familiar support systems when facing uncertainty. Seeking help from a stranger, as you did in your dream, may symbolize an openness to new relationships or guidance in finding your way through a challenging situation. Holding hands with this person could represent a newfound connection or partnership that brings comfort and assistance.
Looking at your previous dreams, there are themes of seeking clarity, navigating unfamiliar situations, and dealing with unexpected changes, such as the strange festival and the music video on the boat. These dreams often involve personal relationships and the balance between independence and seeking help, which aligns with the scenario of your recent dream.
Connecting to your life events, your dream may be echoing the feelings from various significant moments, like starting a new job or dealing with the end of a friendship. The stress of trying to find the meeting place could relate to the uncertainty you've experienced in these life changes, and the Japanese setting with hot soup might symbolize a desire for comfort and nourishment amidst life's challenges.
In the context of your biography, working for your dad and feeling both the comfort and constraints it brings could be influencing your dreams. The sense of being scattered and the subsequent search for direction may mirror your inner conflict between the ease of a known path and the desire to push yourself further in your career.
Remember, these interpretations are intended to provide insight based on the details you've shared, and only you can determine how closely they resonate with your feelings and experiences. Take from this what feels relevant and reflective of your inner world, Dani.