Thread: What if the dreams are too complicated to write down.

I started with lousy dream recall, so what I've been doing is jot down whatever I remember whether it makes sense or not, like images, little subplots, whatever I remember. Don't worry about having it make sense. Just write down the bits you remember and just the act of doing it will increase your recall.

start with what you remember, and see what that reminds you of hhaving happened. I find it helps to type out my dream journal, so I can go back and add earlier details without having to write in the margins.

I have this problem too. Often times, my dreams will be so long and vivid, it takes me 2-3 full single spaced typed pages to get it all down. Recently, I usually write half of it, and get lazy and not finish the rest.

Other times I long dreams, but only remember a few "sentences."

Simple, for epic long dreams, I use my epic point avoiding skill and write only a small part of it <.< That way if I want to remember it I must just read the small format and fill it with the full one.

As soon as you wake up, review the dream, in your head, and write down key words and phrases that will help you remember the events. Then, whenever you get time, go back and write out the dreams, in full.

I'll sometimes have notes that take up half a page, and when I write out the dreams, they are like 2 pages long. There would be no way I could even remember the dreams long enough to recall the sequences, if I didn't jot down notes first.

As far as actually getting the whole dream down on paper - there are really no shortcuts (unless you have an inaccurate speech-to-text program), and you are just going to have to write them out.

Just write down the highpoints. You dont need sentences just write down keywords that will help you remember that dream.

Thanx people. I didnt expect as many reaction on this topic. Please. Let me continue a little with my questions. Many of you stressed the importance to write down some notes about a dream as soon as I wake up.

1. This would be about your personal preference, but what do you write the most {keywords? plot? }. Whats most inportant for you to write to recall most of the dream later for you?

2. How does you afternoon recalling episode look like, what do you do when you are trying to recall a dream after some time and how long does it take?

BTW: I have found out, that the more I am concentrating on my dreams, the less effective I am at work. I work as a programmer who needs to be concentrated with logical part of brain during the working day. And having dream in mind splits my consciousness between work and dreaminess {Hope you know what i am trying to express}.

3. Is there any way, how to clear the mind before work?

Originally Posted by adraw

3. Is there any way, how to clear the mind before work?

Binaural beats my friend

Originally Posted by EEclips3

Binaural beats my friend

really. Could you please describe further?

Personally, when I actually remember to write down my dream, I always try to write down the entire thing. In my opinion, the best way to do this is to start with the earliest thing you can remember (after focusing on, but not writing down, everything you can remember). The reason I say this is because from there you can move along the dream, whereas if you write down the end of the dream first, you might forget the beginning and not be able to go backwards from the end.

As for your second and third questions, they're really one in the same if you write down your entire dream in the morning: just forget about it. Don't think about your dreams all during work, but when you come home reread your dream with a fresh mind and maybe you'll remember something you forgot, or at the very least it will prep your mind for dreaming that night.

For me, no matter how long the dreams are, i just write down as much as my wrists can take.

Originally Posted by adraw

My dreams are epic. Sometimes having the same plot again and again. Still. They are so long and complicated I cannot find a way how to write them down.

I can totally relate to that. Especially where dreams are too similar in plot to other dreams. Makes it hard to distinguish between them. I also have a lot of dreams that are too abstract to properly describe and write down. Practice will provide you with your own style for writing down your dreams. Concentrate on the things that seem important to you. But if you have the time, try to record every detail. Practice makes perfect.

Personally, I only concentrate on the interesting dreams. I don't even bother with long boring ones where I'm just walking around talking to people.