A Dream That Left Me Flabbergasted
- Simply Jelly Jam
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
The end of the dream before I woke up surprised me.
Have you ever had a dream where you felt astonished by something that happened? I recently had such a dream that left me flabbergasted and bummed.
In case it's helpful, below are the main points covered in this post:
The Setting
Much of the dream is now fuzzy, but I vaguely recall a few details that set the scene of my dream.
I was staying in a high-end hotel suite on the Las Vegas strip to attend a multi-day art convention. Unlike other dreams, I was there alone. Dad had my SUV and dogs in another state for a dog-focused vacation.
The convention location was a short walk away from my hotel. I had an assigned locker onsite where I stored a bag full of arts and crafts' supplies.
I also had a few works-in-progress to keep me busy when I was not participating in presentations or panels, demonstrations, or workshops. In fact, attendees had lockers to store supplies they needed for the hands-on workshops offered during the convention.
Annoyances
Unfortunately, I was not enjoying my time there. Several workshops were cancelled. I missed out on some presentations for whatever reason. The event as a whole seemed poorly organized. Strangers criticized my appearance and commented on my "ugly face."
The worst annoyance was having my locker broken into and my bag stolen. I recall calling Dad and asking him if he could pick me up days earlier than planned. He said that even though he was in another state, he could be there in a few hours to pick me up. I said that was enough time for me to collect my belongings and check out of the hotel early.
An Unexpected Surprise
After confirming that Dad could pick me up later that day, I went to the convention location to see if there was a chance that security found my belongings. To my surprise, they did!
A security officer asked me to go through my bag to verify that everything was accounted for. I pulled some items out of my bag as I scanned every pocket in my bag. Everything was accounted!
I thanked the security officer as I put items back into my bag. A random attendee grabbed my sketchbook and flipped through the pages. He laughed and told me to give up on my art hobby because I had "no talent." He continued talking about how my so-called skills were a joke, but nobody needed a comedian at a serious art convention.
I smiled at the security officer but remained silent. I ignored the mean idiot as I grabbed my bag and headed out of the convention location. I held back tears as I rushed out of the building.
Once outdoors, I heard a woman call my first name. I ignored it thinking it was one of the rude women that criticized my looks.
The woman then said my full name: first, middle, and last. I stopped walking. The sound of my full name surprised me. I unfortunately recognized the voice.
When I finally turned around, I saw my Mom sitting at an outdoor bistro table and chair. Her face was tired. Her eyes were swollen.
She rushed over and hugged me. I did not hug her back. I was stunned to see her. I asked, "What are you doing here?"
Mom seemed angry that I was not pleased to see her. She rambled about how she was worried about me being alone in Las Vegas. I was trying to figure out how she knew I was there in the first place.
I calmly tried to explain that I was an adult who did not need supervision to go anywhere I wanted to go to. Mom fake cried about how she was a loving and concerned mother worried about her only daughter's safety.
We argued for a while before I decided it was going nowhere. I told Mom I needed to leave and I hoped she had a good time in Vegas. She said that she wanted me to go with her so that she could keep an eye on me.
I stared at her in disbelief. I was flabbergasted. My Mom traveled from our home state to Nevada because she did not trust me, a middle-aged adult, to survive alone.
I walked away from her without saying a word. I heard Mom yell, "Go get your Mom and Dad. We need to follow your Auntie." I whipped around and screamed, "You brought the entire family?!"
My adult nieces retreated around a street corner out of view, probably to 'fetch' their parents as directed. My heart sank. I could not believe my brother and his family appeased Mom by taking her to Las Vegas to keep an eye on me.
I walked away from Mom. This time, I did not pay attention as she screamed for me to go to her.
My Reality
This past week, I watched (or played in the background) CES (held in Las Vegas) and painting videos. I also found old "attendee" and "presenter" conference lanyards while sorting through a box in my closet. I believe that is why I dreamt of attending an art convention in Las Vegas.
My self-esteem has been low lately. This would explain the hurtful comments from convention attendees. I received similar comments from strangers, classmates, and family in the past.
While nobody has said such things to me for over a decade, I have been thinking about these things. I especially regret giving up my painting and pottery gigs in my early twenties. A part of me believed that I would never be as talented now as I was back then.
I realized Mom lives in the back of my mind rent free. Her actions in the dream are close to actual past events.
Mom fails to accept that I am an independent adult woman who does things solo. It would not surprise me if Mom tracked me down in another state if she somehow learned that I traveled there alone.
Being on a solo trip was the only thing that briefly left my waking mind flabbergasted. In reality, I have taken solo trips for work and to visit family. In my dreams, I have never taken a trip without my dogs at the very least. However, I believe I know why I dreamt of a solo trip.
Months ago, I watched Nerdforge's I Spent 14 Days Painting in Off-Grid Cabins and Leslie Stroz's We Went on a MAGICAL Painting + Camping Adventure videos. I loved the idea of getting away from home to focus on art.
I recalled an RV road trip I took eight years ago where I brought a huge bag of art supplies. Although the trip was not an art retreat, I spent much of my free time at the RV site drawing and painting. I feel more creative away from home than I do in my own house.
I believe my quiet desire to take an art-focused trip is why I dreamt of a trip to attend an art convention.
What's Next?
I am grateful to have reflected on my dream in writing. It helped me realize that I want to investigate a potential art-focused trip when funds are available. It could turn out to be so much fun!
If you remember a dream when you wake up, consider documenting it in something like a dream journal. It may open your eyes to a lingering worry or a secret desire that you should look into!
Comment below to share your travel dream!
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Thanks, and have a great day!
~Simply Jelly Jam
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