Dreaming of being left behind can be quite a realistic dream – too realistic in fact, that it may cause you anxiety because of the authenticity of the feeling that it gives you.
There are many possible interpretations to dreaming this kind of dream, so read on to get illuminated on what you could possibly be feeling that could be causing this dream to show itself – something that may be in your subconscious.
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What Does Being Left Behind Represent in a Dream?
A dream of being left behind can represent a lot of different possibilities. It can be very close to the real thing in real life. Here are the possible interpretations.
Symbolic of early abandonment or similar issues
You may have had early childhood experiences of abandonment. Something may be triggering these feelings in your waking life, enough for you to dream about being left behind.
There may be certain interpersonal relationships that are reminiscent of those childhood experiences, and you may be feeling the similarities even subconsciously. The anxiety may be registering themselves to you in your dream.
Symbolic of insecurity
You may be feeling insecure of your abilities in the group setting that you find yourself in. It may be a situation at work, where you’re tasked to do something and other people may either be finding the job so much easier than you are, or it just requires a skill that you’re not particularly strong in.
This may be triggering your dream of being left behind – it’s as if you’re being left behind for your perceived incompetence with the task at hand.
Symbolic of exclusion
Consider the social dynamics that are at play in your waking life. Are there people who are making you feel like you don’t really belong in the group?
Maybe it is a bully at work, maybe it’s someone being cliquish in your circle of personal friends, maybe it’s a family member who’s been acting a bit stand-offish.
Is there a reason why you may be feeling excluded by certain people in your life? This may be why you are feeling a bit out of place lately, and why it is translating in your dream the way it is.
Symbolic of self-criticism
Observe how you have been talking to yourself lately. Have you been too critical of yourself, as if whatever you do, it won’t measure up to your or other people’s expectations?
You may be too hard on yourself, even when it’s not warranted. Most of the time, we are the number one people who bring ourselves down the most.
It may be triggering feelings of anxiety and feeling undeserving of good things. This is one of the most unhelpful things we do to ourselves, really.
Try to be a bit kinder to yourself and realize that everything is a perspective. It doesn’t matter if you don’t match up to any expectations, whether conventional or self-induced.
Once you look at things differently, you will be able to experience a different sense of relief. Remember that the only thing that matters is your happiness in any given moment, no matter what the circumstances or conditions you are facing. Try to strive for this simple thing and see the difference it could make in your life.
Symbolic of fear
There may be something in your life that you are particularly dreading. Maybe it’s a break up? Some bad news? Something unexpected?
A dream of being left behind may be a representation of this fear that you are harboring in your waking life. Try to relax a little.
Set yourself up for good things to happen, and you’ll be surprised that the more you ready yourself for positive manifestations, the more easily they enter and let themselves be realized by you in your life.
Symbolic of an argument
You may be undergoing conflict with people who are close to you. There may be some unresolved arguments that are eating you up. This may be one representation of your dream of being left behind.
Symbolic of feeling and impending separation
Maybe you are feeling subconsciously how someone close to you will be cutting ties soon. This may be a romantic partner, a close friend, a work situation.
This may be the reason why you are dreaming of being left behind – it may be representative of a fear of actually being left in real life. Try to get to the bottom of your anxiety and see if this is something that is actually founded.
If not, try to focus your energies on the more positive aspects of your life so you get to empower yourself more, instead of feeding what you are fearful of or anxious about.
Common Situations in Which You Dream of Being Left Behind
Dream of being left behind by family
Dreaming of feeling left behind by family may mean that you are experiencing abandonment issues in your waking life.
There may be triggers in your current personal relationships that are reminiscent of how you felt abandoned when you were much younger.
Dream of being left behind by friends
You may be feeling a bit disconnected from other people lately. You may be feeling lonelier than usual, or it’s as if there’s no one you can talk to about your thoughts and musings.
This may be triggering a dream of being left behind by friends – it’s as if you don’t have a shared sense of community with other people, or a tribe that makes you feel included and valued, validated and important.
Dream of being left behind in a house
If you dream of being left behind in a house and you are a child in the dream, this may mean that you are feeling like people put too much trust in you in something that you yourself cannot handle well. You feel as if they have made a mistake, that you do not deserve this trust and you definitely cannot handle it.
Another possible meaning of this is that you actually have the confidence to do what needs to be done even in peculiar situations.
You feel like you are able to surpass expectations of you easily, and you are able to handle whatever comes your way, even if it may seem impossible.
If you dream of being left behind in a house as an adult, however, this may also mean a lot of different things. For one, it could mean that you actually want to be left alone for now.
You may be feeling claustrophobic from the people who want to keep pushing their presence on you, and you would much rather be alone.
Another possible interpretation for a dream of being left behind in a house and you are already an adult, is that you are feeling that you should be more responsible.
It’s like, people are letting go of control of you right now so you can figure out your direction for yourself on your own.
Dream of being left behind by a lover
This dream may mean that you are craving attention from a person who is very close to you – someone who is often associated with you nowadays.
This may be a best friend, a romantic partner, a business partner you work closely with, or a family member who has always been close to you as well.
It may be that you need attention and time from this person, and you are hard up in getting it lately. It may be giving you feelings of fear, anxiety, and longing in your waking life, enough for you to dream of being left behind by a lover in this specific way.
Dream of being left behind at a party
This dream may mean that you are always the person that your group of friends relies on in order to clean up their mess.
There may be troublemakers in your peer group, your family, or even in your place of work, and you are always the one people run to in order to make amends and fix whatever is broken.
Dream of being left behind in a car
This dream may mean that you are reverting to feelings of being a child. You may want to relieve yourself of adult responsibilities and just be irresponsible, small, and unnoticed for the time being. Some part of you feels like you will also get into trouble for indulging in this desire.
Dream of being left behind in a mall
This is either every kid’s dream or nightmare. They are out with their parents and one moment they are hand in hand; the next, they are in a crowd of strangers with no familiar face in sight.
Try to check how you are feeling. If you are feeling happy because there is finally no one there to police you, then this may symbolize a craving you have deep in you to be who you really are without getting a nod of approval from other people.
If, on the other hand, you feel lost and are crying in your dream because of being left alone in an unfamiliar place, then this means that you are still craving for guidance and support in your waking life – something that you may not have or are hard up in asking.
Conclusion
There are many possible symbolisms and interpretations to dreams of being left behind. Take a look at what fits the nuances and details of your dream, so that you may understand better what it is trying to tell you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article !
