21 Meanings When You Dream About an Old Friend

Life shifts constantly. And even if you live in the same house where you grew up, you lose touch with friends and neighbors who moved away. Thanks to Facebook and social media, you can bump into and keep track of old school pals. But what does it mean when you dream about an old friend you haven’t seen in years? Let’s check out some possible interpretations.

what does it mean to dream about an old friend?

1. Longing for Childhood

When we were kids, all we wanted to do was grow up. And the adults around us kept warning us to slow down and enjoy our childhoods. Of course, we didn’t listen because we were in a rush to do whatever we wanted. To us, that’s what adulthood represented – freedom and fun.

But what does it mean when you dream about a childhood friend? It means you’re longing for the innocence of youth. When you were young, you didn’t see the value in it, but as an adult, everything seems simpler back then. Adulting is weighing you down and you want out!

2. Missing Certain Sentiments

Some of us are blessed enough to see our old friends regularly. So if we dream about them, it may be a practical dream rather than a spiritual one. But what does it mean when you dream about an old friend you haven’t seen in a while? First, describe your friend in three words.

These are probably the qualities you subconsciously associate with your friend. So the dream could mean you’re missing those characteristics. You want to see more of them in yourself and others around you. Ask your angels what steps you can take to nurture these features.

3. Overwork and Burnout

We’ve touched on the yearning for the innocence and pleasure of childhood. But sometimes, dreaming about an old friend sends a more specific message about your work life. What did you do with that old friend in previous years? Probably you played, had fun, or just hung out.

So dreaming of this friend means you’re yearning for those times when the pressure in life was less. This dream doesn’t necessarily mean you should call that friend. But it does mean you’re overwhelmed at work and you need to take some time to rest, so ask for a few days off.

4. Grow Up!

So far, we’ve looked at two interpretations that tell of childhood nostalgia. But sometimes, dreaming about old friends sends the opposite message. Your dream could be a sign from your spirit guides that you’re being too childish and you need to develop a mature outlook.

In the same way, people rile against the concept of adulting, our elders want us to stop whining and just grow up. So if you’re dreaming about old friends, particularly peers who somehow seem more mature than you, you may have an internal desire to get it together.

5. Old Patterns Returning

As we go through different phases in our lives, we associate with people who share our worldview. The friends you played patty-cake with in day-care and Pre-K might not be the same ones you crushed on in middle school. Or even the ones you rebelled with in senior high.

Think about your relationship with the friend in your dream. Were they a good influence or a bad one? This dream is probably warning you against negative peer pressure as an adult. Or advising you to regain the positive attributes that old friend represents in your memory.

6. Unfinished Business

We lose old friends in various ways. Maybe you moved away as a kid and had no way to stay in touch, especially if you grew up before email and cell phones. Or maybe you changed your personality, job, or habits and drifted apart now that you have less in common with them.

Sometimes, one of you gets married, has kids, or takes up a busy career and you can no longer connect, physically or emotionally. If you dream of this old friend, someone in your life may have reminded you of a quality they had, and you want closure from the friendship.

7. Nepotism and Favours

What does it mean when you dream about your best friend from childhood, high school, college, summer camp, or even a buddy at a former job? Assuming you’re no longer in contact with that person, the emphasis of the dream is on group dynamics at your current workplace.

You might be favoring someone unconsciously, and it might be causing tension with other people at work. Or maybe you’re trying to suck up to the boss and get a promotion. You may even be a coach turning one of your students into a teacher’s pet. All this is causing tension.

8. Shifting Blame

Human relationships are interesting. When we’re upset, we only remember the bad things about the person, but when we’re happy, they can do no wrong. When you think about an old friend, you’re probably focused on the good times. What does it mean to dream about fights?

If you dream about an argument with an old friend, the message regards someone (else) in your waking life. You’re probably struggling over something and assuming it’s all their fault. Your guardian angels send you this dream to remind you that you played a part in this mess.

9. Healing Tips

Dreaming about an old friend can be a sad or fond moment. But the spiritual interpretation of this dream has nothing to do with that pal from your past. Instead, think about what you were doing in the dream. Was it homework? Shopping? A sleepover? A party? Just chores?

Something in that scenario is relevant to your waking life, so ask your angels to make it clear. Maybe in the dream, you and your friend were working on a jigsaw, and the exercise holds the clue to solving a puzzle at work. Or maybe you need their calm attitude in this crisis.

10. Hope and Vision

Maybe you haven’t seen someone for years and they suddenly pop up in your dreams. Under these circumstances, you should consider whether the dream is a prophetic vision or a symbolic clue. And if you ask nicely, your heavenly helpers can show you which is which.

If you dream of an old friend being pregnant, for example, it could be a sign that they’re currently expecting a child, so that’s a vision. But it might also be a figurative hint that you’ll stay lifelong friends (just like the child growing inside her). So don’t rush to congratulate her!

11. Name-Related Meanings

Sometimes, you meet someone in the street and they seem vaguely familiar. They’re being friendly and acting like they know you. They may even seem excited to see you. So you assume it’s an acquaintance from your childhood and reflect their enthusiasm back at them.

Later, you might try to figure out exactly who they were! But what if you dream of an old friend and you distinctly remember their name? Try using a name dictionary to see if maybe your angels are saying something about that subject e.g. Patience, Purity, Serenity, or Beau.

12. Job-Related Messages

A dream about a friend called Lily or Nivea may be a call to let more light into your life because both names mean ‘white’. But if you dream about an old friend, try to remember (or ask around and find out) what they do for a living. It can be a current or past profession.

Your spirit guide could be using your old friend to send you a message related to their occupation. Dreaming of a doctor or nurse pal might mean you’re ill. Dreaming of a teaching buddy could herald trouble at your kid’s school. A baking comrade might mean a party soon!

13. Role-Related Messages

Some of us have a handful of friends while others have hundreds. But many of us have different buddies for different situations. Maybe your stylish friend takes you shopping. Or the pal with a green thumb that advises you on yard work. Or the party pals for weekends.

So when you dream about an old friend, reflect on the role they played in your life. Were they the quiet, wise, smart compatriot who held you when you get dumped? Sorry, you might be breaking up soon! Dreaming of college drinking buddies might mean you’ll celebrate soon!

14. Unacknowledged Loneliness

Some say your college friends will stay with you for a lifetime. Others think your middle school friends are the best because they knew your unfiltered, uncurated, pre-teen self. Either way, we all have friends from our past who we look back with fondness and longing.

So if you find yourself dreaming of someone like that, you might have a missing element in your current friend circle. Maybe you want someone you can just sit quietly with. No plans, no agenda, just mutual companionship. We rarely get that as adults except through romance.

15. Emotional Longing

On the other hand, a lot of us had (and still have!) secret crushes on our friends. So what does it mean when you dream of an old friend you were silently in love with? You’ve heard the joke: Question: What is it called when your crush likes you back? Answer: Imagination.

But on a serious note, dreaming that an old crush likes you back means you feel worthy of love. It’s a sign of confidence and self-assurance. Your higher helpers are reminding you how awesome and lovable you are. They’re telling you it’s time to stop being so down on yourself.

16. Social Anxiety

Waking up from the dream we mentioned above, you may be tempted to call that old crush and confess. (We wouldn’t recommend it, at least not based on a dream!) But what if you dream about that old friend rejecting you? And it’s not necessarily a romantic rejection.

Maybe you got to high school and they picked a new crowd, leaving you out. Or they didn’t invite you to a party. These events probably didn’t happen in your shared past, but they feel so real! The dream means you subconsciously fear rejection from your current companions.

17. Self-Acceptance

Here’s another zinger – what does it mean when you dream of dating, kissing, or marrying an old friend? No, it doesn’t mean you need to look them up on Facebook and see if they’re single! Unless of course, they called out of the blue to let you know they’re now available …

Usually, the dream is a celebration by your spirit guides. It means you now love and accept your whole self, good and bad. And that’s what your soul strives for. The dream means that feeling of love from an old friend is sent from your higher self to your lower one. Enjoy it!

18. Repressed Desires

At the opposite end of the spectrum, what does it mean when you dream about an old friend ignoring you? This isn’t a high school acquaintance that doesn’t recognize you because you’ve changed so much. This is someone who saw you, made momentary eye contact, then passed.

You’re sure they can tell who you are because your relationship was so close. And you didn’t have a falling out. This dream can be extremely disorienting. But don’t call your buddy and yell. The dream is about you, not them. And it means you’re hiding deep needs from yourself.

19. Social Revamp

You may have heard a version of the following complaint: “Not everyone is your friend! Learn to define people as colleagues, acquaintances, or peers.” It seems straightforward, but things get tricky in social spaces. You might see them as a pal but they see you as a random!

So what does it mean when you dream about someone tangential from your past but they’re suddenly acting like your best friend? Your guardian angels are sending love your way. You’re about to make meaningful connections, find true friendships, and expand your network.

20. Deep-seated Resentment

The human brain is a strange thing. It generates thousands of thoughts every day, but we don’t always know what’s on our minds. Or in our hearts. So our angels use dreams to bring some of that murk to the fore. What are they trying to say if you dream of killing an old pal?

We’re assuming this is someone you genuinely liked (as opposed to a frenemy or a tolerated member of your social set). The dream implies you have hidden rage and unacknowledged resentments. Ask your angels to show you where it stings and how to heal from the hurt.

21. TLC Required

As we keep saying, the people, objects, or animals you see in your dreams are rarely literal. So when you dream about old friends, they’re not the point of the dream. Yes, you can see them, recognize them, and even now their names. But the dream isn’t about them at all.

It’s more about the feelings and memories they evoke. And most often, you need the warmth, empathy, fun, and sense of belonging that your buddies used to give you. Ask your spirit guides to show you people in your daily love that can provide the same level of support.

When was the last time you dreamed of an old friend? Tell us all about it in the comments!