A good way to remember to perform Reality Checks

[Patrick]

Since I often forget to perform RC's throughout the day, I simply draw a small, yet interesting symbol on my arm, next to my watch, with permanent marker. This means that every time I look at my watch during the day, I see the symbol, and do an RC. I keep it updated by constantly going over it with marker when it runs out (probably not the best thing for my skin). Pretty simple, but helps me a lot, and is also quite a unique and interesting way of performing an RC.

[skye3000]

But what if you never check the time in your dream?

[Denny22]

Yeah, I guess the logic behind a good RC prompt is something that is constant. I can only assume that the symbol wouldn't be there and you wouldn't be prompted to do an RC. However, you may notice it isn't there and that might be a promt in itself. hmmmm

[Syntex]

Screw it. We should all just attach a shock collar on us and a button on it that says "did you check if you were dreaming?" and if you don't remember to press that every hour, you'll get shocked! sounds like it would work to me

[Websters Prophet]

You know something similar that I stumbled upon was I painted a line on my thumb to see how fast it grew, but now every time I see my thumb, I do a RC. It's given me my last 2 LD's, and now looking at the line itself is enough of a RC

[mini0991]

What helps me is that no matter the situation, I never postpone a RC. I just try to breathe through my nose; it isn't very obvious and when people do see it they ask me why I'm popping my ears. But if I see anything that reminds me of a RC, I do one. By the way, do one now.

[DuB]

I used to do pretty much this exact same thing, but after a while it stopped being helpful. I just got used to the symbol (in my case, the letters "RC") being there, and and once it lost it's novelty it also stopped prompting me to do reality checks. Luckily I have managed to cultivate the habit of doing a RC when I notice something unusual happen. That took a while, but it's a pretty firmly ingrained habit now.

[ZmillA]

Thats what I do DuB. Pretty much anytime I feel that a coincidence or "deja vu" has occured. But then again, since that doesnt always happen I just have to manually do RCs, Im trying to make it a habit of doing them when Im in the bathroom

[Richnfg]

That's pretty much the technique that I've been trying out, except I've been writing an "A" for Awake. My friends keep asking me what it means, though! haha

[Scarhand]

A friend of mine wrote "sleep" on his left hand and looks at it regularly. Though I much prefer trying to push my right index finger through my left palm, it can be done very subtlety and will never attract attention. If anyone ever asks what you're doing just tell them you were scratching.

[Abra]

Why not write on the watch? It's what I do (it's a black watch, so I did it with paint).

[Richnfg]

Well, guess what? My technique of writing "A" on my hand worked last night! haha I was flying around with my family and sitting on an electrical pylon when I thought to myself "I can't fly in real life! I've got to be dreaming!", then I looked at my hand to check for the A and there was nothing there...then it appeared and glowed. I became lucid and realised I was dreaming, but it was really strange because I didn't have complete control and as soon as I worked out what I wanted to do, it faded to black. Then I woke up, but it was a false awakening and another dream! MADNESS!

[Scarhand]

Well, guess what? My technique of writing "A" on my hand worked last night! haha I was flying around with my family and sitting on an electrical pylon when I thought to myself "I can't fly in real life! I've got to be dreaming!", then I looked at my hand to check for the A and there was nothing there...then it appeared and glowed. I became lucid and realised I was dreaming, but it was really strange because I didn't have complete control and as soon as I worked out what I wanted to do, it faded to black. Then I woke up, but it was a false awakening and another dream! MADNESS! You'll gain complete control in time.

[JET73L]

I did this, only on my arm opposite my watch (I always wear long sleeves anyway). Aside from the dreaming symbol (an improvised thing consisting of a handprint with the aboriginal pictogram for rainbow over), I also had a 2-row hotkey panel- compass for dream guide, link/wolf from Twilight Princess for changing, floating stick-figure meditation guy for flight, house for homebase (don;t have one yet), heart for dreamsex or at least dream dating, 45rpm spider adapter for music, TARDIS (looks like a police call box) for travel, and later stick figure guy in wizard hat with fire and lighting for (non-flight) magic powers. Success. The dream symbol kept me doing reality checks, even into a false awakening late this morning, and though it didn;t actually make me lucid, I missed trying to tap it and hit the travel key instead, which in turn proved that I was dreaming and made it lucid. (more info on my dream journal, Keyword: On THe Road (Yet) Again[sic]) Thanks, Pensive Patrick! (Edit: PS: 200 posts!)

[Patrick]

I did this, only on my arm opposite my watch (I always wear long sleeves anyway). Aside from the dreaming symbol (an improvised thing consisting of a handprint with the aboriginal pictogram for rainbow over), I also had a 2-row hotkey panel- compass for dream guide, link/wolf from Twilight Princess for changing, floating stick-figure meditation guy for flight, house for homebase (don;t have one yet), heart for dreamsex or at least dream dating, 45rpm spider adapter for music, TARDIS (looks like a police call box) for travel, and later stick figure guy in wizard hat with fire and lighting for (non-flight) magic powers. Success. The dream symbol kept me doing reality checks, even into a false awakening late this morning, and though it didn;t actually make me lucid, I missed trying to tap it and hit the travel key instead, which in turn proved that I was dreaming and made it lucid. (more info on my dream journal, Keyword: On THe Road (Yet) Again[sic]) Thanks, Pensive Patrick! (Edit: PS: 200 posts!) Cool! Glad it's working for someone. I mean, it was just an idea, so it won't work for everyone. Try it out if you feel like it.