Lisa,
I sense the same themes in this dream as the others. The old town would be your past, the square and middle would be a need/desire to center yourself in the present but there are 'tall' issues that keep you from that {one of the buildings- one part of you}. The purse is those values that make up who you are.

But perhaps the language gets away from total symbolism and states a truth. "I've lost it again". Could that be a statement of actual losing something, perhaps an emotional lose or even a loss of temper? This may getting to actual personality traits that are affecting how you act.

Then there are the 'boys'. Although the primary focus would be attaining wholeness as an adult, there may be actual past experiences when you a youth that involved boys. In other dreams there are the men. That may be speaking to masculine aspects which could include actual experiences of men/boys. There may be that shared experience at play.
In this dream there is a 'forgiveness' of one of the boys {who reminds you of your BROTHER'S son}.

The change of scenery to the 80s. This may be speaking to a time where you felt better about yourself and your life. Since all the characters are generic they probably represent different aspects of yourself. You are the judge that is fair, an admiration of a quality about yourself. This part of you draws an audience, a positive aspect you possess{ed}. Was this time in your life different from the present time? If so why, what was so different? Did you have more control over your emotions. Or your life in general?

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 60 Murfreesboro, Tn

Have You Posted Before? Date of Last Post {Use Search and Your Post Name to Help Find Last Post} Male

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes

The 80s were a period of my life when my career was soaring, my financial status never better, I was gaining self-confidence (always elusive until then) through work, discovering that I was smart (grew up in my family feeling dumb; I was youngest and most creative, free thinking), I accomplished a great deal, was rewarded with promotions and honors (chosen from all of MW as 'young turk' account exec), I didn't need anyone and was totally in charge and independant for my life. Today, I feel satisfied enough but not nearly as fulfilled (although I realize my life in the 80s was not 'whole') and I want someone to share my life now as constant companion, someone to be in my corner (and not a member of my family), someone to protect me and help me grow. Career isn't important but it pays the bills. I sometimes enjoy it but it is a JOB. As for the 'boys' in this dream, I think we've pretty much concluded that the male gender (starting with my father) hasn't been a good source of trust and comfort in my life. I have unconsciously chosen men who were emotionally unavailable or married men to resolve not having my dad there for me and/or to avoid being "trapped". I am commitment phobic. "I've lost it again" may have to do the conversation I had with my "b/f" the night of this dream in which I said I didn't feel we were bf/gf, I was exploring my dreams to learn who I am, and didn't feel we were headed toward anything further. "I've lost it again" could mean I've shut down again, put up a wall, or lost it emotionally with my sudden outpouring of feelings about the relationship, although he opened the door. I did feel out of control during the conversation and afterward and Type As don't like being out of control.

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 56 GA

Have You Posted Before? Date of Last Post {Use Search and Your Post Name to Help Find Last Post} Female

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? yes

Lisa,
It all does seem to fit doesn't it? The good times of the 80s in your life and the symbolic positive representations in the dream about the 80s, there are in accord. Credit Jungian theories of the dream for whatever understanding we discover.

"I've shut down again, put up a wall, or lost it emotionally with my sudden outpouring of feelings about the relationship, although he opened the door".
The conflict in the relationship with your 'boy friend' probably needs some type of resolution. Your inability to 'trust' men is a problem do doubt but just to what extent is has in this part of your life may need deeper examination. You do need to confront those issues {trusting men} if you want to have that relationship you wish for. These are deeper issues that may require help from someone who is trained in psychology.

As for that creative self. That too could a lesser issue in your life, on the surface. But in Jungian psyche it is the creative aspect where we find our highest potential, our true being. For someone like myself who has been married three time, and divorced the same number of times, my mistress for the past 18 years has been my creative self. Myths-Dreams-Symbols is an offspring of that relationship as is my work with dreams and exploration of the deeper psyche. As I sit here in the early morning hours addressing the posts at the Dream Forum and providing my thoughts to the dreams, I am in that most blissful state of being, that place I love most. If not for the requirements of social obligations {my responsibilities to my business/work} I would be in total bliss. Jung, and Campbell both promoted this 'feminine' aspect of the psyche as the correct road to a harmonious life, even when there is an absence of any other 'love' in ones life. But to get there one must overcome those other 'psyche' conflicts, those that are formed from earlier life. Working on those inner conflicts and at the same time looking to resurrect the creative self, that is the heroic journey that is what life is all about. The myths speak about them, in different forms and speech, but they are a reflection of the deepest desires of the soul. Following your bliss is an endeavor to fulfill the soul's greatest desire. The metaphoric reference of the Holy Grail can be explained if one only look at the symbol as a reference to the soul and not some material thing. It is not an outer search that is required to discover the Grail, it is an inner search.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 60 Murfreesboro, Tn

Have You Posted Before? Date of Last Post {Use Search and Your Post Name to Help Find Last Post} Male

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes