Bernita,
Here is my analysis corresponding to the paragraphs/stages of the dream
My sense of your dream there are expectations of you that require you be something other than you are {something that is/was imposed on you} and you have the responsibility to look after yourself alone instead of having others do it for you. This may be related to a recent experience but would likely go back to early life experiences as well. Is the friend in the dream someone you know? If so then the expectations would be similar to that person's life.

Messing up the dream would suggest not living up to expectations, perhaps to do recent experiences that fit with this as well as in early life where there were such expectations {all dreams, all dream images have at least two meanings/applications}. Something is not clean about some aspect of these experiences yet you are expected to willingly/joyfully participate.

Being headless may point to doing what you are expected to do without questioning it. Because you are unable to live up to these expectations you are constantly stressed, trying to please others while living up to expectations {inner as well as outer-the inner expectations being imprinted from early life experiences}. You have spent your whole life doing this, trying to live up to expectations, some which are unattainable but with the same expectations {not realizing the unconscious energies that motivate your personality and reasons for later life decisions}. No matter how much you try to get from yourself {your own expectations} you can never fully please yourself or others {this is a personality trait}. There is guilt on your part because you can not fully achieve what is expected of you {of yourself and others people}. You are often disappointed in yourself {unconscious imprinting of early life one reason for this} which enhances any guilt when you fail to live up to expectations.

You are unable to live by your natural instincts and instead you are governed by these unreasonable expectations. There may be times when these energies cause you to be totally out of sync {up to weeks at a time}.

Summary
What are the expectations in early life that today influence your actions and personality. I believe this is the primary message of the dream.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 65 Cocoa, Fl

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

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes

Thank you very much for your response, I greatly appreciate the time it took to respond.
I hope your feline friends are feeling better. It's never nice dealing with unwell animals.

I must look into this more, having had the dream again last night. Something I clearly need to address in waking life.
Thank you again.

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 30, female, Australia

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

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes

Bernita,
Post the more recent dream and let me analyze it.Although the dream has the same plot it would most likely use different images/symbols. Those often reveal more about what the dream message is. Dreams tend to progress, offer more content especially when you take time to analyze them.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 65 Cocoa, Fl

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

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes