Dream about Trying to Get Somewhere but Can’t: 3 Meanings

Dreams about being unable to get somewhere can be troubling when you wake up, but oftentimes it reflects your state of mind in your waking life.

These dreams signify a loss of control that is manifested as an inability to get somewhere in your dream and is often accommodated with a feeling of helplessness.

Dream interpretation is subjective, unscientific, and highly personal. The below information is some possible symbolic interpretations people have had – but there’s no evidence that your dream determines your future and no one can say exactly what the dream means. The ultimate interpretation is up to you!

Meaning of a Dream about Trying to Get Somewhere but Can’t

1. Isolation and Lack of Self-Actualization

The concept of self-realization is extremely difficult for people to grasp, and most of us will spend our entire lives in the pursuit of this higher way of thinking. We want to finally understand our purpose in the world and our nature as spiritual beings.

A dream about not being able to get somewhere and constantly trying is a reflection of this shortcoming in you. It symbolizes that you are struggling to express yourself, to realize your goals, and to demonstrate confidence in your work life.

This is often the struggle in life—learning how to understand one’s own capabilities and overcome our shortcomings to form a better self.

The dream of trying to get somewhere but being unable to is often associated with your perception of the world in this context. You may feel as though you’ve hit a dead end with your career since you’re not seeing the progress you’d like to.

It may also seem as though your relationships have hit a dead end, whether it’s the lack of prospects in your romantic life or a relationship you’re desperately trying to heal but aren’t able to.

The concept of trying to get somewhere but not being able to in a dream also ties into feelings of isolation since, when we cannot picture ourselves moving forward—reaching that unattainable goal in our lives—it leads to a profound sense of isolation.

Others we see always seem to be moving forward, advancing their careers, and growing as people. The dream of trying to get somewhere but failing is a reminder for you to center yourself.

Set yourself aside from the things that trouble you for a time and take a moment to refocus on your goals in life. If there’s something internal that’s holding you back, address it. Take the time to be spontaneous for a while to put yourself out of your comfort goal and demonstrate through your subconscious that you are capable of change and achieving great things.

Related Article: Dreaming that your Mom Died Meaning

2. You’re Feeling Fear and Self-Doubt

Another common interpretation of the dream wherein you’re trying to get somewhere but aren’t able to is that you have a profound fear of the unknown.

This interpretation suggests that the place you can’t reach in your dream symbolizes an uncertain horizon, a place in your life that you’re headed towards but aren’t sure you want to actually reach.

As a result, you don’t feel confident enough to actually push through the barrier towards the change that’s coming in your life. The inability to reach somewhere in your dream symbolizes your own tendencies to hold yourself back.

Take some time to reflect on yourself and evaluate yourself as a person. Evaluate where you want to grow as a person and develop the skills to change your mindset towards those goals.

In a similar vein, this fear of the unknown can be reflective of the invisible force holding you back in the dream. This force can be something in your work life, your romantic life, or your spiritual life.

If there’s a toxic relationship that’s containing you or an influence in your life that’s distracting you from your true purpose, excise it to begin heading towards the future you’re striving for.

3. You have a Lack of Focus

Sometimes, a dream about you not being able to get somewhere you’re trying to go reflects a lack of focus towards your goals rather than something holding you back.

In your dream, sometimes the place you’re trying to reach will keep shifting and vanishing before your eyes. This is an indicator that you may be too concerned about what the world thinks and need to fix your eyes on who you want to be as a person.

Disregard the advice of people who don’t respect you and heed the guidance of your family and friends as you walk through this time and try to recenter on who you want to be. Write down your goals, whether they be relationship, work, fitness, or spiritual, and focus your energy on them.

This interpretation is closely tied to self-doubt, fear, and a lack of self-actualization. If you have a negative opinion of yourself as a person, then it can be difficult for you to focus on bettering yourself and appreciating the progress you have made over the years.

Take the time to look back on where you’ve come and refocus on who you want to be.

Conclusion

Dreams about not being able to get somewhere despite trying can be hard to interpret, but they usually reflect a frustration about not being able to reach your goals. They also demonstrate that there’s a force holding you back from your aspirations in life.

Dreams have many different possible interpretations. And in fact, the above interpretations may not even be the right ones for you! It’s really hard to actually tell what the dream means. And really, it may not mean anything – it could just be a random dream! If you want to know more about your dreams, you could talk to a dream interpreter, spiritual advisor, or even a therapist.