Janine,
In your dream about being at Bobbi's and needing to rest while others clean up, the imagery of leaving a task to others and returning to find things being packed away and sold could represent feelings of loss or transition. The act of cleaning and packing often symbolizes putting affairs in order or dealing with change. The sale of plates and pottery, items that typically suggest family and home life, might point to a sense of your personal space or familiarity being 'sold off' or altered in some way, which could be tied to your recent retirement and the significant lifestyle shift that accompanies it.
The fact that you felt really sad about not being able to handle packing up the kitchen suggests a deep emotional connection to this space or the memories and experiences it represents. Kitchens are often the heart of the home, associated with nurturing and togetherness, and your reaction in the dream may indicate a reluctance to move on from a phase of life where these aspects were prominent. The mention of bikes, a symbol of balance and forward motion, might imply a subconscious awareness of the need to move forward, despite the current emotional difficulty in doing so.
Looking at your previous dreams, there is a recurring theme of transition and the emotional impacts of change, such as leaving a party or saying goodbye to friends. These narratives, alongside your retirement from teaching medical sociology—a significant life transition—highlight the mixed emotions you might be experiencing: the joy of past accomplishments and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
Your recent retirement could be the catalyst for these feelings, as you navigate this new phase of life. The change in routine, identity, and community that comes with retirement might be subtly reflected in your dream, as you process the end of your professional chapter and wonder about the future. The sadness in your dream might echo a real sense of nostalgia or a period of adjustment as you find new ways to fill your time and new aspects of your identity to explore.
Remember, these interpretations are reflections based on the symbols and scenarios you've provided, and they resonate with the significant changes in your life. It's natural to feel a complex array of emotions during such times, and your dreams offer a canvas where these feelings can be expressed and examined.