Caught up in the routine :( need tips

Okay, since the course started (a month ago) my day to day has become a very repetitive routine. I have quite a long commute every day and the fact that I study in the afternoons leaves me close to no free time during the week. This, plus the fact that I've been overthinking about a personal issue (which will last for several months) has turned into poor recall, dull dreams and, of course, almost no lucidity. I guess many people have a similar problem with routine. What do you guys do to avoid these things get in the way of your progress?

Always be extremely energetic when you go to sleep. You need to "never go to sleep tired". Be as awake and aware as you possibly can while going to sleep. Make sure not to step too far and hit insomnia, but that is the rope that we walk. Lucidinspiration is everywhere.

I know what you mean markatus. It's hard to stay focused with so much going on. The same thing happens to me. I can imagine it's pretty difficult for you since you go to school as well and are dealing with that personal issue. The same thing happens to us in dreams. We are "caught up" in the experience of living the dream and don't pause often enough to realize it's all a dream.

What's worked for me is banishing that self-defeating all-or-nothing thinking that use to plague me more often. I'm also working on banishing the attack of the "shoulds" in my life. You should do this, you should do that, blah blah blah. lol I'm working on changing it to "coulds" with a touch of "it's your life and what makes YOU happy, there's no one recipe for life".

Dreams are always there waiting for you at the end of the night. Just because you didn't follow the lucid dream routine of rc's and journaling that day, doesn't mean you can't turn it all around and strengthen your intent before sleep. Everyday is an opportunity to turn it around. Oh and I've found that it's very important not to punish myself! :rolllaugh:

I have one tip, on your long commute, if you are driving yourself, try to do a form of ada as you drive, I.e. Don't go into auto-pilot but look out for all hazards, constantly think about speed, etc.and try to be aware. It's the best way to drive anyway but is tiring to start with. If you are on a train, just read about LDing (e.g. Rinpoche Tibetan dream yoga). If you're being driven in a car or bus you may not want to read if like me you get nauseous. You could try ada out of the window though, and looking to spot odd things and do RCs.

Well recognizing the problem is the first step to implementing the solution: find *some* way to break up your routine. A walk to a new place, a trip to the movies/theater, even watching a video can really help to give you lots of new and fun day residue.

Also, reading other's dream journals and imagining participating in those dreams! Settings aside some time to daydream and imagine new and fun things could also help.

I would also add that even the simple act if recognizing that you're "caught up" is a success in itself. Every moment is an opportunity for mindfulness, whether your driving, working, or whatever you happen to be doing.

I would also recommend providing some time for breath meditation (just ten minutes per day starting out). It's surprising how much a consistent meditation practice can promote mindfulness during the day (and night). You might also find moments to be mindful during activities, such as drinking a cup of tea mindfully after meditation.

So do what you can do. The dreams will return.

Eh. While I don't disagree with all of the above, I don't think the issue necessarily has to be with awareness or desire. If you have had success before with lucid dreaming, then it's really not that hard to reconnect with it. Clearly, the desire and willingness is there. It's more likely that your new routine or personal issues have a negative impact on your sleep, at the ordinary physical level. So improve your sleep to improve your chances of LD.

That's really a good point, Sisyphus. Makes me realize I may have jumped the gun on awareness.

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Originally Posted by sisyphus

Eh. While I don't disagree with all of the above, I don't think the issue necessarily has to be with awareness or desire. If you have had success before with lucid dreaming, then it's really not that hard to reconnect with it. Clearly, the desire and willingness is there. It's more likely that your new routine or personal issues have a negative impact on your sleep, at the ordinary physical level. So improve your sleep to improve your chances of LD.

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I have a different take on it. I'm approaching the topic with the intention to be very frequently lucid, my goal is lucidity every night. To those who are happy with LDs "once in a while" the practice will certainly differ. It is more like building muscles than riding a bicycle: ability will atrophy over time without continuous maintenance and active practice. To approach mastery level (in any area, not just dreaming), constant, effortful practice is required.

However, the point to be made is that while I advocate continuous practice and active effort, I of course realize that stuff happens that interferes with ideal conditions: stress, work, family, etc. So instead of "giving up for a while" during non-ideal conditions, instead just realize that for a while, LD results may not be perfect. Don't stress about it, know that results will return when conditions improve. No recall on a certain night? There's always tomorrow night.

So just keep working on self-awareness and dream recall, as much as you can with your life realities. When conditions allow, these two qualities will meet and result in lucid dreams. But don't give up on them -- even if you reduce your practice to just a few moments of self-awareness during the day, and at night all you do is set intention to remember dreams at bedtime (and spend a few quiet minutes when waking to reach for dream memories), at least do that much, every day, everyone can do that.

I see it like walking down a road. It might not be easier to take, but easier to recognize. You know not only what a good night sleep is, but what the right nights sleep are, and what the right awareness is. Not too much attention on this, not too much attention on that. I should get to sleep soon if I want to LD. I got to sleep on time, I can feel the LD coming.