Who's Driving? Lessons from a dream, symbols about transportation & choices

I’ve likely mentioned in past posts that I’ve always been a lucid and vivid dreamer. For years, I’ve journaled about dreams that have guided me in ways that I can hardly put into words. These dreams have come as messages from my spirit guides, my higher self, and visitations from loved ones. Last night, I had a dream that woke me up with an undeniable urge to write it all down and share.

This dream, like many before it, featured the usual suspects of symbols that often appear on my journey: cars, the ocean, mountains, and even the sensation of salt on my skin. As anyone who journals their dreams might notice, there are recurring symbols—much like in my mediumship readings—each layered with meaning. For me, modes of transportation—cars, buses, boats, planes—serve as metaphors for life’s journey. They hold clues to how I’m navigating life at the moment. Locations also carry significance: near water, I know it’s about my emotions; in the mountains, it’s often about the challenges I’m facing.

Last night, I dreamed of two cars, both filled with luggage—none of it mine—representing the emotional baggage of others. I wasn’t driving either car but found myself along for the ride. The message felt clear: others are on their own journeys, and I need to let go of carrying what isn’t mine.

That realization got my brain spinning. What actual worries or challenges in my waking life am I carrying that aren’t mine? To some people, this might seem like a lot of effort to metaphorically unpack a dream. But as I mentioned earlier, my dreams have always been incredibly insightful. If I’m remembering small details from each scenario, there’s a reason for it. It’s worth sharing, and maybe those reading this can relate or gain insight into their dreams as well.

Dream Interpretation 101: Here’s how I interpreted some of the symbols in my dream:

Cars: For me, cars have always represented life’s journey, so it’s important to pay attention to the details: Who’s driving—you or someone else? Are you arriving at a destination? Is the car working properly, or are you lost and struggling to get there? These questions often remind us to take back the wheel in life if we’re just passengers, or to acknowledge challenges when we’re feeling stuck.

Luggage: This is a recurring visual in both my dreams and my psychic sessions. My spirit guides often use luggage to represent worries—either our own or those of others. I often ask clients, “Are you carrying someone else’s worries like rocks in your backpack?” Last night’s dream blended past and present energy, making me question how much of what I was carrying truly belonged to me.

The Mountains: I couldn’t help but think of the book The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. For me, mountains symbolize challenges—those uphill climbs we often avoid or feel unprepared to face. They can feel isolating, just as I felt last night when trying to find my way home. But they also represent growth, resilience, and the strength to find solutions on your own.

The Ocean: Water often symbolizes our emotional state, and although the ocean appeared only briefly in my dream, it carried significant meaning. I was covered in salt that needed washing off—a sign of healing and cleansing. It felt like a reminder to release what doesn’t belong to me and embrace vulnerability—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This dream reminded me that life is full of choices. Sometimes, we’re along for the ride in someone else’s car, carrying their baggage, and wondering why we feel stuck. Other times, we’re standing at a crossroads, unsure of how to get home. In these moments, the dream seems to say: trust yourself. Let go of what doesn’t belong to you, take the wheel, and embrace your unique path.

There’s no right or wrong way to navigate life, but we do need to honor our own journey. It’s okay to part ways with people, habits, or situations that no longer align with where we’re headed. And when the road gets tough, know that every challenge holds the potential for growth and clarity.

So, if you find yourself waking up with a vivid dream, don’t brush it off. Write it down, reflect on its symbols, and see what messages it holds for you. The answers might just guide you home.