Xtaberry's Workbook

When I was a little kid, I lucid dreamt almost every time I remembered a dream, about weekly. I rarely tried to manipulate my dreams, I just knew I was dreaming for typically part of the dream and almost always right before I woke up.
Alas, it did not last. My dream recall waned as I grew up to the point where I only remembered a dream monthly, then I had to start using an alarm to wake up six or so years ago. Since the alarm I've only remebered a tiny handful of dreams (most were partially lucid though, so that's a good thing).
I didn't know there was any way to increase dream recall or increase lucidity. I also thought my dreams were normal, that everyone got lucid and that no one dreamt very often. Five days ago I got into a conversation about dreams and realized mine weren't normal. It was the first time I heard the word lucid. Four days ago I typed "lucid dreaming" into Google and voila, here I am.
Now that I know I can reclaim my lost dreams I want them back! I'll post updates weekendly, whether or not weekendly is a word. Getting lucid is not too much of an issue (though it would be nice to get lucid a little earlier in the dream. It takes me a while), but dream recall is a big step I need to take.

Update Day 1 - 4

Day 1
I read up about lucid dreaming and dream recall throughout the day to get myself excited and thought about wanting to remember my dreams as I fell asleep. I remember waking up twice throughout the night (which is unusual, I sleep like a rock) with two different dream fragments and tried to write them on my phone in the morning, but I'd forgotten most of what happened. Still, they were the first dreams in a long time! It was exciting!

Day 2
I made a dream journal and kept using the techniques from yesterday. I got an almost complete (unfortunately non lucid) dream! I scribbled it down as soon as I woke up in when my alarm went off.

Day 3
I used the same techniques, plus visualization of the dream scenes from the night before. I think it would have worked, but unfortunately a fire truck came roaring up the street as I was falling asleep and my window was open. It was loud and really stressed me out, so no dreams.

Day 4
I got lucid! It was during the first REM, so it was really short. I tried to lay still as long as possible without falling asleep to do a kind of WILD, then someone suddenly flicked on the lights! No one was there and I was really confused so I just sat there. Suddenly I noticed there was sun shining through my window even though I just fell asleep, and it clicked. I was dreaming. I did a reality check and sure enough I was. I soared across the hallway, met with a dream character (Ha! They're so stupid...) and then the scene started fading. I started rubbing my hand together and pacing (I realize now I should have tried spinning out...) but I eventually lost it. I woke up a few times and had two other dreams that night, but I was trying too hard to get lucid again and I kept waking myself up as soon as I realized I was dreaming. Regardless I'm amazed with my progress.

Welcome to the DILD class, Xtaberry!

It looks like you're off to a fabulous start! Let us know if there's anything we can help you with.

You may want to have a look at my dream recall tips and the articles about achieving lucidity in this thread.

"The four D's" are also quite important: Desire, Determination, Diligence, Dedication. Keep these up and you'll be dreaming up a storm in no time!