Thread: How long did it take you?

Originally Posted by Daleth

I've been trying to have a lucid dream since last September, and zip so far. Have to say I'm getting frustrated, especially since so many people say they achieved lucidity within days of hearing it was possible. Has anyone else experienced this -- a long delay in getting to success? And if so, what made the difference for you in finally making the jump from non-lucid to lucid? Thanks for your thoughts.

first of all,you should be doining techs correctly to achive lucidity,a hint of what techs that you use will help us help you .
second of all,i heard of people trying to have a LD for monthes,it vary from person to another,maybe you allready had a lucid dream but just don't remember it,i think you have a dream journal,if not you should have one because it's nessessery to have lucid dreams.
i also recomand to visit the beginners topic and the tutorial section
hope i helped

I got lucid quickly but I think it may just have been a strong motivation to have an LD, along with just happening to choose the right method for me right off the hop. It can take time and it can differ strongly on the person; you're not the only one who's had to wait that long for one!

If you've only been trying one technique, maybe try a new one and see how it goes. Sometimes you just need a bit of a change-up to help your subconscious realize that LDing is still something you want to do.

It took me a few months, but reality checking helped a ton! I jokingly did one in a dream and my finger went straight through my palm and I screamed lol! I was in my bedroom and it was dark and so I jumped in my bed closed my eyes and kept saying, "Go to a different dream, go to a different dream!" I did and I saw my dog talk and I flied a little bit.

So just do reality checks and keep a DJ. It helps, even though it may be tedious.

I heard of people that took several months to get their first lucid. That a lot of dedication imo to spend all that time trying. Personally, I got 2 lucids in the first 2 nights I tried, and some more occasionally. Now that I'm trying really serious still a week and nothing but dream recall and visiting the forum prevent me from being frustrated. Just keep going and intensify your rc habits!

Also, remember that having one lucid will not mean that you're close to regular lucidity. But it can also happen that you take ages to get one, and the remaining ones come much faster

Thank you all for your encouragement. My frustration stems from the fact that I have been doing it all by the book: reality checking, dream journal, various techniques such as WBTB, even tried the chemical route with Galantamine, etc. There have been a few times when I was semi-lucid -- it felt like I was about to become lucid but then didn't, if that makes sense.

On the plus side, I remember a lot of dreams now and many of them are very vivid. But still no lucidity! And occasionally the most fantastic things have happened in dreams, but I just accept it all as normal; I never remember to think "I must be dreaming."

Anyway, I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this (even if I'm in the minority) and I appreciate your thoughts.

Ah don't do stuff by the book, you have to make the techniques adjust to your sleep patterns, not the other way around.
Also, don't feel bad, it took me 8 years to induce 1 single lonely lucid, so don't worry in initial time you are waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of time.

It took me around 4-5 months, don't feel bad. Besides, getting that one lucid dream after many months of trying to figure techniques out, it feels satisfying. But watch out for dry spells. Mine's been going on for about 6 months now.

I'm at one month and two weeks so far with the only progress being increased dream recall and waking life awareness. Like you, I've spent a lot of time researching and emulating everyone's suggestions/successes - but experimenting and time seems to be the best approach. Even though I haven't made much progress, no semi-lucidity at all, I still look forward to having a lucid dream every night.

If you feel frustrated, stop thinking and worrying about having a lucid dream for a day or several, then continue trying with renewed motivation. Good luck.