Reality Checks in Dream

**alanaelease** · 06-09-2014 03:03 PM

I've been trying to have a lucid dream for a week now, as i have never had one before. I just dreamt last night, (not lucid) and I actually did 2 reality checks in the dream. I tried to push my thumb into my other hand, it didn't work. Then I plugged my nose and closed my mouth, I couldn't breathe! I heard that the nose plug works 100% of the time, so I'm really confused and frustrated. Please help!

**DreamHighlander** · 06-09-2014 03:10 PM

In my opinion, there's no reality check that works 100% of the time. When you plugged your nose and closed your mouth, maybe you were thinking that maybe you will not breathe. That's enough for it not to work. Just think that you will breathe normally. And don't stick to 1 ou 2 reality checks. Try a bunch of them. The ones that work for you, stick with them.
For me it's the counting the fingers on my hands. Most of the times, i get 6, 7 fingers on each hand.

**~Dreamer~** · 06-09-2014 04:42 PM

Very occasionally, the nose plug RC doesn't work for me, but it is definitely the most reliable (for me personally, and most LDers I know.)
The two other RCs that I like are inspecting my hand for any fuzziness/abnormalities (including extra digits,) and trying to think back through my last hour - are there any gaps in my memory? How did I get here? Is this really my house/family, etc?
There are so many RCs to choose from, so keep testing different ones and find out what works for you.
The important thing is to really believe that you could be dreaming. If you RC during the day while thinking, "I'm obviously awake, this isn't going to work," then you will be thinking that during your dreams as well. You need to truly consider the possibility that you could be dreaming every time you RC - remember, you were convinced that you were awake in your dream last night, right? What if you're dreaming right now, too?
Don't be put off by your attempt last night... maybe just do an extra RC next time. And don't get it stuck in your head that RCs aren't going to work! If your mind expects your hand to look really strange when you check, it's more likely that your dream will produce a strange-looking hand. Make sure you pay enough attention to notice discreet abnormalities as well, though.
It's a great sign that you're performing RCs in dreams after only a week - you will be lucid in no time! Good luck!

**ACaddict** · 06-09-2014 10:08 PM

My reality checks only work if I already know 100% that it's a dream -.-

The weird part is that as long as I do try a reality check, I know if I'm dreaming whether the check works or not... I don't really understand why...

As others have said, try using different checks from the ones you are using now. Chances are there is a certain check that will work for you better than others. Just keep trying