Please Help! I have good dream recall, but I'm struggling to become lucid

I've always had pretty vivid dreams and I become lucid on my own about once a month. Even then, my lucid dreams ALWAYS end within several minutes, if not instantly. I can remember about 1 dream per month as though it was reality (with a few gaps) and sometimes 2 or 3.

Despite even receiving nudges here and there within the dream (for example, a dream character pointing out that there was no way in hell that my grandma could play video games that well INSIDE OF MY FIRST PERIOD CLASSROOM. I always have a very faint awareness, but it still isn't lucid enough for me to fully comprehend the implications of that fact. Also, I should note that I don't currently keep a dream journal, as I've never thought of the slight boost in memory as important enough for the effort I would have to put in to maintain it.

So, my question is, how can I make that leap/realization to the sweet lucidity that I so desire?

Are you trying any induction methods? Because it sounds from your description like you're just expecting to get lucid on a whim. If you haven't already, I would suggest trying out MILD - it's usually the simplest lucid induction method, and is good for understanding the mindset that you'll need for just about any lucid dreaming method. Here's a couple resources I would recommend:

MILD Tutorial - Lucid Dreaming - Dream Views
http://www.dreamviews.com/attaining-...technique.html
Reality Check Tutorial - Lucid Dreaming - Dream Views

And don't be so quick to dismiss keeping a dream journal. Although it's true that keeping a dream journal will improve your dream recall, journals are also great for another thing - helping your find your dream signs. You can look back at all your old dreams and see what objects/places/themes occur commonly. That way, you can target your reality checks for certain situations that are frequently in your dreams, greatly increasing your chances of lucidity. For example, two of my dream signs are terrible driving, and being at college (I graduated back in May, so if I'm ever there, I obviously must be dreaming). So by performing an RC any time I drive, or any time I think about my college, I'm more likely to also RC in those situations in a dream.

I still suggest keeping a dream journal as someone once said 'what if you are becoming lucid eachnight but are not remembering it?' I tend to remember the last dream i have by the time i wake but since dream journaling i tend to remember bieng lucid at times i wouldnt usually notice having a dream.

I also think dream journalling tells your subconscious that dreams are important. So recall, discovering dream signs, and setting intent are three reasons for dream journalling, and I suspect there may be other benefits.