Recognizing dream signs in reality, but not in dreams?

[Eamo24]

If I see something odd or unusual in reality, I automatically think of doing a RC, however, in most dreams, I am usually in some bizarre situation with some very unusual things taking place, and I usually don’t think of doing a RC. That being said, I have had a few lucid dreams like this, but it doesn’t happen very often. Could it be that RCing whenever you notice a dream sign is not enough? Should you be developing an overall awareness to certain dream signs so that this awareness carries into the dream eventually? Also, as memory is mostly switched off in a dream, and you don’t really question oddities, how is your dreaming mind supposed to know when something is inconsistent with reality when you don’t have memory of reality? Any ideas about this? Thanks for your responses.

[RedStuf]

Isn't this pretty much like the research in which they let demented people play Tetris? Even though they forget about the game every day, they still got better at it. Simply put, you don't remember to do an RC, you make it instinctive. And making things instinctive takes quite a while, so just keep it up

[Dragonworkz]

Like RedStuf said, making your RCs instinctive can really help. My personal tip is to reality check more than just with your dream signs in waking life. Sure, it definitely helps to take notice to whatever dream signs you have, but just doing that might not be enough. It's also important to reality check during strange situations. Like, if you see something strange, or feel weird, basically just anything that makes you go 'what...?' or 'that didn't seem real' or anything like that. Getting into the habit of RCing during those situations can be a big help in your dreams, where you usually won't be questioning things like that. Hope this helps! Give it a try for a bit and keep at it. Feel free to try some other techniques sometime too if you feel comfortable with that.

[Eamo24]

^^Thanks Dragonworkz, that’s very helpful advice. Yes I’d imagine it would be a good idea to RC to anything that could indicate a dream, including misplaced objects, strange feelings etc. I’ve often woke up from dreams and thought about the range of obvious things I could’ve reality-checked to, but didn’t, so I suppose it would really help. Simply put, you don't remember to do an RC, you make it instinctive. And making things instinctive takes quite a while, so just keep it up ^^I agree, RedStuf; I’ve been RCing randomly for a month now, with occasional ‘dream sign’ triggers. Maybe it’s just a case of further practice until it becomes a stronger habit.