Most effective RC?

[r2d2651]

Up until now I have only done the finger-through-palm RC, which uhh.. Hasn't worked very well.. I just recently took up the nose pinch RC and I am hoping... What RC works best for you?

[Navtyr]

Just training awareness over the day and it carries over into the dream world, then i just confirm that i'm dreaming with a nose plug. That imo is reality checking, to get you aware of your surroundings, how did you get here and if anything is out of place.

[lollylilly]

I can't say what is the most effective, but don't always use the same one, or you'll fall into a routine of it. I've been using the "Counting Fingers" one nonstop, and last night I was in a dream in which I convinced a dream character we weren't in a dream, because I held up my hand and had five fingers [because I expected it.] So find a technique you like, but be sure to mix in some others, as well!

[Fitz]

My favorite is light switches - I try to turn the light on (or off, if it's already on). Works perfectly most of the time. One time I was fooled by the fact that the light actually did go on - but it looked weird. Another one is grabbing a book and opening a random page. Weird things tend to happen with text. It changes or goes completely blurry. And then there's mirrors. A good RC practice is to think of three things around you that you could RC with - any time, any place. Even if you're in... let's say... the shower... You can grab a shampoo bottle and read the text on it, try to reach out and switch the light off OR check your reflection in the mirror. And as someone already said above, it's good to practice general awareness. Like, ask yourself a question: how did I get here? do I know this place? is everything in order about it? what day is it? what did I do 5/10/30 minutes ago? Especially that last one seems effective, because most of the time you'll have trouble remembering. The other night I had a dream about shopping for new shoes (which I don't do often, I'm a guy ) - and I remembered trying a few pairs on, but I had no memory of coming to the shoe store in the first place.

[Puffin]

Nose-pinch, but reality checking usually follows after you become lucid, just to confirm that you're dreaming. Doesn't trigger lucidity itself. Sometimes I don't even have to do the RC if I'm in a very lucid state. Fitz's advice is good; besides the usual RCs, pick out three or four that you can do from where you're sitting or standing.

[Elucive]

Definitely the nose pinch. And falling into routine is what's supposed to happen. In hopes that the routine and habit carries over.

[156curses]

I know I'm dreaming from the nose pinch. And looking about thinking 'Is this normal? Is everything 'normal'?' I don't know if this is a proper method though its similar to others, I just find it a bit easier than 'what did I do last and where did I come from?' The other night in my dream I dreamt of something unusual, and I finally said, 'hang on, this is strange. I must be dreaming.' and woke up into an LD - so by questioning its strange nature and recognising the dream, my brain instantly took me to my bed to have a false awakening and begin an LD. So that was cool. I guess just spot the wierd things, abnormalities and question it. Thats my reality check method.

[heroleon]

Lucidity usually happens when i stare blindly into something till my awareness comes into focus, and realize that I am dreaming. I do RCs when I have a false awakenings. For this, the nose pinch is perfect.

[LucidDragon]

Finger Count always works for me

[thomas79]

I usually always carry around some type of writing utensil. So throughout the day, I randomly try to balance then pen on its point. When I'm in a dream, the pen balances, thus I know i'm dreaming.

[fautzo]

i try to dream i am in a pool I have only done it once, but I became lucid (my first ld happend last night) and I'm gonna try a wild tonight just because it's the weekend

[Mzzkc]

Straight up awareness has always worked wonders for me. I typically supplement that with a TK check for the lulz, but that's just to double check more than anything else.

[Sergron]

Nose pinch, nose pinch, Sometimes I look at my hands, though. If I'm outside and the sun is shining on my hand, my hand looks glossy.

[Kronolimit]

Usually to check if I'm dreaming, I try to levitate by jumping softly and trying to stabilize in the air. If that works I know that I'm dreaming and become lucid.