Thread: My first LD!

Sigh. So it's only been four days (wow really?) since my first LD...but it feels like its been weeks! Lately I've been having my normal 3-4 dreams per night, but it feels as though I'm simply going along with the narrative.

For instance, the other night I had what most people would consider a nightmare. Everything happening in the dream was absolutely terrifying and should've been an immediate cue to me that I was indeed dreaming...yet I just followed it along. I don't even recall being all that scared, though at one point I was crying.

Basically, I need help in moving forward. I thought that after that first LD, more would follow, or I'd at least be more aware of myself within my dreams, but this doesn't seem to be the case yet. Part of me thinks it's due to my recent lack of sleep, so i've simply been sleeping more heavily, but I still have been dreaming.

Any ideas? Suggestions? I've been trying my hardest to do WILD's but I always just drift off to sleep...same problem with WBTB. Basically I need to figure out how to make myself "take control" when I'm in the middle of a dream, since for now at least, things such as WILD aren't working for me.

Originally Posted by bc8109

Basically, I need help in moving forward. I thought that after that first LD, more would follow, or I'd at least be more aware of myself within my dreams, but this doesn't seem to be the case yet. Part of me thinks it's due to my recent lack of sleep, so i've simply been sleeping more heavily, but I still have been dreaming.

Any ideas? Suggestions? I've been trying my hardest to do WILD's but I always just drift off to sleep...same problem with WBTB. Basically I need to figure out how to make myself "take control" when I'm in the middle of a dream, since for now at least, things such as WILD aren't working for me.

Try not to become discouraged. LDing is about playing the odds and doing things to increase those odds. There is no sure-fire, does-the-trick application. What you're looking to do is become more familiar with your particular breed of dreams.

Practice the various techniques (especially WBTB combined with WILD) and keep up with your dream journal. Few people are so good at lucid dreaming that they have them every week. I've been doing it since the start of 1991 and I only have probably an average of 3-5 a month.

With respect to LDing, there is a such thing as trying too hard. There's also a such thing as decreasing your odds by mere disappointment alone. Find a happy balance and you'll have an easier time. Just remember, you can't expect every night to yield an LD. But, by being actively engaged in the concept of LDing, you've already increased your odds by a huge margin.

Practice, my friend. Practice and dedication.