Is this what I need to do?

[FuzzyPotatoes]

So tonight I'm planning on going to sleep while repeating a mantra in my head, but I'm not sure what to say because I've heard some people say mantras should be in present tense, I was going to say 'am I dreaming?' To get me into the habit of maybe saying it in my dream, so what mantra shall I use? If I wake up in the middle of the night I will stay away for 10 - 20 minutes and fall asleep again as I have heard techniques. Is there any other suggestions before i go to sleep. Oh and i will obviously record my dream in a journal.

[splodeymissile]

Don't try to WILD immediately after going to bed. Due to the way sleep cycles work, it will take forever and a day to even get into the dream world and that's assuming there's even a dream to enter and you're patient enough. The best time to WILD is probably 5 or 6 hours after you first go to sleep. Not only are you going to wake up close to an REM cycle or even during one, but the dreamy thoughts you will have will make it much easier and faster to enter REM atonia (or to give it its incorrect term: sleep paralysis). As far as mantras and dream journals go: spot on.

[FuzzyPotatoes]

I was planning to DILD as that's the most simplest one

[splodeymissile]

Oh, I see. Sorry for misunderstanding. In that case, while you should eventually come up with your own mantra, "I am dreaming" is a good starting point. Its simple, powerful and easy to remember. The question "Am I dreaming?" can be effective, but you've got to put a bit more work into it, since the mind can always invent false memories to throw you off and make you answer "no" despite all evidence to the contrary. "I am dreaming" is more definite and, therefore, more powerful and effective. At least, in my experience.

[FuzzyPotatoes]

I woke up at 6:22, stayed up for 15 minutes and had 2 short dreams up to 8:45, I have 6 weeks off now so i am 100% confident i will have Atleast one lucid, I'm working on doing RCs when I'm awake.

[ParadoxOwl]

Well my mantra is "I will have a lucid dream", Idk if its working or not though yet.