Thread: Do I overthink it?

Question 1:
I feel I am to worried or to aware while trying to lucid dream that I block myself. It's like I over think it? Could this be why it is taking me so long to achieve regular lucid dreams?

Overthinking it has made it hard for me to lucid dream many times. I find taking a break for a week or a month helps a lot because I usually have a LD the day I come back. If you want to take a break you can, but I would understand if you didn't want to take a break. Also, you can just do some RC's like something easy like looking at your hands a few times a day. My favorite RC is the nose-plug, if you've heard of it.

Question 2:
I have mild dyslexia, and my dream recall as well as long term memory is not very good; Could this cause my lack of regular success?

I don't think dyslexia has anything to do with it, but dream recall not being good can make it possible to totally forget you had a lucid dream. So I'm sure you've had a few LD's you forgot by now.

Good luck with having LD's, hope I helped!

When you say too worried do you mean during WILD/DEILDs? If so, then just take a few deep breaths and calm down a bit. This will get easier with practice. If you mean just in general, then I would suggest maybe taking a break. It won't kill you and will likely aid in any problems your having. Take maybe a couple weeks hiatus from LDing in general and just continue going on as normal, but I would still keep a DJ. Even if you aren't focusing on LDing, DJing is still an important part for recall in general. After a few weeks ease back into it. Don't be counting down the days and then go, "Yes, i can LD again! I'm going to WBTB, then WILD, then try MILD at the same time, and set my alarm for DEILD... etc." because then you'll overwhelm yourself. Just start with simpler techniques such as MILD/DILD and after a few days get back into any WILDs you may have tried/did try.

As for the second question, dyslexia likely has little to no impact on dreaming. Dream recall will grow over time so don't worry too much about it, just be sure to keep up with your DJ and write down anything you can remember. Even if it's nothing, at least write down, "no dreams," or, "nothing." When it comes to long term memory I'm not sure there's a whole lot you can do. I, myself, don't have great long term memory, and I also have rather selective memory, but I don't let it stop me from trying to remember dreams. The only thing having poor recall can really do to LDs is cause you to forget parts/all of an LD, which we don't want to happen. Most people usually wake up after an LD though so recall isn't always a big issue. Your lack of success may just be taking it's course. Some people are naturals, others have to work. You may be one who needs to put a little bit more work into it, but don't stress yourself out and definitely don't give up. LDing is one of the most amazing things in the world and has literally no limitations.

I hope I helped and if you have any more quesiton feel free to ask. Good luck and remember, don't get frustrated if it doesn't work right away.

Originally Posted by Burke

The only thing having poor recall can really do to LDs is cause you to forget parts/all of an LD, which we don't want to happen.

You know, that has actually happened to me. Once when I was having pretty regular LDs, I got really lazy with my DJ, even to the point where I wouldn't even make a DJ entry when I had an LD. Consequently, I ended up having an LD that I didn't remember until a few days later when something I saw triggered the memory. Man, I wonder how many more I might have forgotten because I got lazy with my DJ.

You say that you practiced all the techniques at least once. You should know that you need to be consistent with techniques. If you want to test one, you should do them at least a few weeks. Also, overthinking can in fact make it harder. Work hard, be confident, and don't worry about it. LDing is easy, you just need to get the hang of it. Don't ever get stressed over it, that will only prolong the time until the next results. As for your DJ: it can make the results less, but not necessarily. There are a lot of LDers (including myself) who have succes without keeping a DJ. Some people however really need it. So it can be a cause, but not necessarily. But it is not impossible to LD without a DJ or something

Thanx for all the help guys! I really appreciate it. Seems I need to chill a bit, at leadt for a while. Or even just in general. :-)

Five LD's in two years isn't too shabby. I have been lucid dreaming for decades and have had dry patchs where I have had no lucid dreams in 6 months. I would try visualization combined with deep relaxation techniques and simply not think about the end result too much. When they happen.. they happen!