Maria, your dream is rich with symbolism and reflects various aspects of your life, emotions, and experiences. The act of packing for a cruise, particularly on the day of embarkation, indicates a sense of preparation and transition in your life. It suggests that you may be at a point where you are ready to embark on a new journey, yet there is a feeling of being unprepared or anxious about what lies ahead. Your mother’s presence represents a familiar influence, possibly signifying a blend of comfort and distraction that you experience in your waking life. This connection might suggest that while you seek independence and adventure, there are parts of your past or familial ties that still linger, impacting your current state of being.
Meeting with old acquaintances like Donna and Christina signifies nostalgia and perhaps a longing for past connections or experiences that shaped who you are today. The cruise ship itself serves as a metaphor for exploration and escapism, where you may desire to break free from routine constraints and indulge in new experiences. However, the frustration of not finding food you typically eat could symbolize a feeling of being out of your comfort zone. This may reflect your relationship with your eating habits, given your background with eating disorders. It highlights the struggle between wanting to embrace new experiences and the need to maintain a sense of self-comfort and safety.
The transition from the cruise ship to the scenes reminiscent of your childhood, like the Palisades mall, emphasizes a longing for simpler times or a return to familiar places. This might indicate a desire to reconnect with your roots or a time when you felt more secure. When you find yourself in New York City, it suggests a journey into a more complex or chaotic environment, which aligns with your feelings of anxiety and possible stressors in your life. The random encounters, including the pregnant lady and the heavy bookbag filled with tapioca pearls, could symbolize the weight of expectations and responsibilities you carry, especially in light of your mental health journey.
Returning to Donna's house and interacting with her family reflects a theme of support and community.