Recognize I'm dreaming but then wake up.

Hey all, this is something I've been struggling with for the past year now.

I'll go to sleep normally and I'll dream like normally and then after I've cycled through a few dreams or so I'll come to a dream where I'll realize that I am dreaming, but shortly after I come to that realization my dream will fade to black a few seconds later and I'll either completely wake up, or transition to another dream a few minutes later with no memory of me realizing I was dreaming in the last dream I had.

What am I doing wrong? Is there anything I can do to gain control and stabilize my dream? I was thinking the reason for this is because my "dream self" realizes I'm dreaming, but I however am not conscious that I am dreaming. What do you guys think?

My experience of being aware in my dreams, is that the dream will fade away if I after being aware, thinking to much about that I know that im sleeping in bed while im here in this dream state. So my advice to you is this. As soon as you realized that you are dreaming, just direct your attention at anything in the dream, like colours or details, sounds. Anything that is a part of the dream and it's content. Then your mind will focus at were you are doing right now in the dream and strenghten the experience of this exploration of senses. Rather than remember it self that this is just a dream, and shifting focus to awake or start everything over again. Also keep in mind that this should not be rushed thru in panic of losing the dream. Just start in a calm maner, to feel the structure of ground or taste the ground. Or any thing or sense you feel like exploring deeper. Well thats pretty much it, good luck to you with the dreaming!:)

Yeah agree with Bear.
Try to touch everything around or rub your hands and avoid thinking about your real body.
Calm down and just explore and watch the surroundings.

I also agree with DreamyBear and Hitokage. Try to engage as much as you can with the dream. Use as many of your senses as possible and try to stay calm (which is difficult when you first start having lucid dreams).

Try to set a goal for yourself and review that goal before you go to sleep every night. Example: “When I become lucid I will stay calm and remember to rub my hands together.”