Quote Originally Posted by IndigoRose View Post
Anyway, I don't count extremely short LDs and I don't count anything I am not completely sure about.
It's funny that the longer I am in this, the blurrier I see the line between lucid and non-lucid. I am quite sure I could count some of the explicit semis as low-level lucid dreams if I wanted but I don't publish my count and this is not a competition for me, so any thinking about definitions is just for fun/trying to understand the nature of dreams more.
Here is one quick example that could be count as lucid, I think:

I am walking on grass, barefoot, or in some light-weight sandals, at night. With every step I take, there is a kaleidoscope of orange butterflies of various sizes, some full size, some much smaller. I love it and I think: "I've always wanted to have a dream like this." and then I think that this is almost like that TOTM task with lighting the floor with every step. Then I see a firefly and watch it fly and sit on the grass and its light going off. I go and try to find it in the grass.
I agree, the line between lucid and non-lucid isn’t always black and white. I think there are definitely levels of lucidity as well and the way you’ve outlined the three different types in your opening question is similar to how I would describe low, medium and high levels of awareness in dreams. For me to count it as a true lucid I have to feel that I have a sense of wakefulness in the dream and an understanding of what I’m experiencing and what it means even if it’s only in a small way. So for me your implicit examples I wouldn’t count but some of your explicit I may count depending on how awake and present I felt. The example you mentioned above with the fire fly I would perhaps edge toward labelling it as a low level lucid dream but I understand if maybe you didn’t feel truly present in the dream and you wouldn’t want to label it as such. It’s tricky when it’s not so clearly defined but I guess that’s what we’re dealing with when it comes to this subject and in the end it doesn’t really need to be.

Lucid count shouldn’t be a competition, I agree but it’s a good way of recording our progress when we’re starting out. I only asked because I wondered if your expectations as to how many you think you should be having on average was too high. I think to have even frequent semi lucids is a great place to be though I too would love plenty more high quality lucid dreams and I’m looking to improve and increase their frequency as well.

Quote Originally Posted by IndigoRose View Post
There are nights during which I just know I am at the right spot, very close to an LD or multiple ones. Or nights with multiple semis. And then there are nights that are the exact opposite extreme. And these two extremes can happen in one week, even if life doesn't get in, just as a natural fluctuation, I guess. The quality of sleep plays its role, the number and length of awakenings, the mood that day and possibly also the food eaten and supplements, and more. I just can't find any reliable correlations.
Yes, I think all this does tie in and effects our chances. Some nights it feels like the stars align and lucid dreaming is effortless and others it doesn’t matter what you do you’re just not going to get there.

Quote Originally Posted by IndigoRose View Post
Right now, I am in a very confused mindset. I'll take the weekend off and then will start a new routine on Monday (memory practices connected to reality checks and reverse reality checks) and I'll probably give another chance to MILD with a greater focus on rehearsals/visualizations.
I think this is a good idea and something I do from time to time. It does help and don’t be surprised if you have a lucid dream during the break. It always happens for me.