simply write it down.......

Has anyone else found this? If I wake from a dream, and think about writing it down (so, talk in my head ...I met Patrice in the kitchen, then I went into my room ... etc) and go back to sleep, when I awake later (couple hours), I will find the dream difficult to remember. However, if I actually do write down just keywords (or even voice record notes), then upon awakening (many hours) later, I will be able to recall many details of the dream to write down. Why is this? Is it psychological? Or is it a physiological thing?

Yeah, tags/keywords helps recalling alot, for one because it forces you to analyze dream and also because we can associate alot with a single word or phrase that helps us remember things later. It's pretty common recall technique actually which is very useful for WBTB/Micro-WBTB or just when lacking time for a full DJ entry. :P

*Moved to Dream signs and Recall*

Meh, I think it's more about your style of writing. I like detailed writing, I just know what to focus on. Generally I will forget the dream if I write every little insignificant detail that didn't really stand out to me.
Keywords have their own disadvantage that they make it harder to recognize the dream in the future.

Ahh, i forgot to mention.... I don't need to look at the keywords, or hear the recording ever again...I simply remember the dream.

So, I wake up, write down the keywords, go back to sleep, wake up again, DON'T look at the keywords, and I can remember all (or a lot) of the dream's details (and then record it in detail in my journal if I want).

BUT...if i wake up, visualize me writing it down, or say the keywords/dream in my head, go back to sleep, wake up again, then I can't remember much of the dream at all.

So, my memory is not being triggered by reading the keywords, it just remembers solely because i previously wrote them down. But if I don't perform the physical act of writing, and instead I visualize myself writing, this doesn't work.

So, is this purely a psychological effect? - I am remembering them because I now expect to be able to.
Or, is it physiological? - The physical act of writing it down, somehow 'cemented' it in a neural pathway or something (forgive my complete lack of physiological knowledge :) ! )

What do you think?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BarefootDreamer

Ahh, i forgot to mention.... I don't need to look at the keywords, or hear the recording ever again...I simply remember the dream.

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Personally, I think it's because you remember those keywords, and through them you remember your dream. I've had it as well a few times and it's really handy when you're running late or overslept.
You mention going back to sleep however. When I experienced this I wrote down my keywords and wrote my dreams in full detail about 5 hours later at work during my breaks. I'm not sure about going back to sleep but by all means, if it works for you then go for it! ;)