Trouble with RCs. Suggestions?

Hey there,

I very often have dreams where I get a que that I am dreaming and debate the issue that I'm dreaming with various DCs.

I usually try the breath holding technique which fails as I really do seem to hold my breath in my dream and am unable to breath. It was the first technique I read about that many people rave about, so it seems that I try it first.

Anyway, when I realize I'm dreaming I am almost always discussing it with a DC, but I never snap into full control by doing RCs. Typically I gain full control after a que without doing any RCs.

In summary:

Que's tips me off that I should be dreaming, and almost always talk to DCs about it, try RCs which tend to always fail for me in dreams as the results of my tests seem to be legitimate... LD FAILS.

Que's tip me off and I snap into a fully controllable LD immediately without a RC. LD WORKS

Anyone else have major problems like me with que's that lead to RCs that fail for them? Anyone else like me and typically always only have a spontaneous LDs after a que without RCs?

I would be greatful for any tips from experienced LDers.

Cheers

It's all about mindset. I've been doubting my current RC (as it failed to prove I was dreaming once), and as such, I was more reluctant to execute it in my dream.

I say give the nose RC another try. It has always worked for me. Also, try looking at a digital clock, or some text. Then look again. It will most likely change.

Yeah, it really is about mindset. If your RC is to hold your nose and breathe, you have to really believe you will be able to breathe. But if that doesn't work, try my fav. RC. To see if your dreaming try to pinch yourself (on the hand, arm, etc) (pinch yourself hard so in reality you'd feel pain) and if you feel numb where you pinched or just don't feel pain you most likely are dreaming. This seems to work for me.

when you do the nose RC, dont close your nose completely. Close it so that when you breath try to breath through it, you can breath out but not in. Wait, that doesn't make sence. Anyway try it.

Hmm, not sure what to suggest.

My RC is the sky. It is always cloudy, dark or mysterious looking when I am dreaming. And, in waking-life when the sky is like that, I usually grab my pen and paper and write something down. If it's legible, I'm not dreaming, if it doesn't make sense, I am.