^ Sounds very interesting - is this how you got started? Do you have any additional tips on how to make that dream sign actually appear in your dreams?

I think that relying too much on your phone for reality checks is not a good idea - I say it because I've tried it myself and, much like you, I found myself sometimes just getting rid of the notifications without thinking about it too much, basically out of habit.

I guess the most efficient way to learn to reality check would just be to get into that state of mind - simply make it something that you remember naturally to do every now and then.

One method I know of is to have reality check "triggers". Whenever you see a particular object, or something in particular occurs, do a reality check. Or, even better, whenever you see something you find weird or out of place, do a reality check. Also, I've read that writing 'RC' or, I guess, anything as a remind on your hand could also help a lot.