Handwritten vs. typed dream journal?

[Toch]

I've had bad experience with typing my dream journal. I started getting interested in LDs earlier this year, and kept a dream journal faithfully from about February to June, which was entirely handwritten at first. This enabled me to start having lucid dreams pretty reliably at least once a week. The length and quality of the dreams started to increase over time as well. I found that my handwriting immediately after awakening was sometimes absolutely atrocious (particularly if it was a middle-of-the-night awakening), and I would haev trouble staying within the lines of the notebook. Therefore, what I did was to scribble down the dream on scrap paper, and then in the evening, right before bed, I would copy them into the notebook by hand. Eventually, I figured "Might as well catch up to the modern age and type them up." However, I found that my dream recall immediately suffered, and I basically stopped having LDs altogether, so I quickly went back to the "copy it by hand" system, as inefficient as that was. My LDing didn't really recover after that; soon I lost interest in journaling. So, what's your experience with dream journaling? Do you write or type yours?

[IAmCoder]

The middle way is to write quick notes by hand right after waking up and then type a more detailed entry based on the notes later in the day. Perhaps you just need a typed journal that rewards your work with charts and graphs.

[transient]

I prefer to use a hand written journal as it's easier to do quick notes and shorthand when your tired plus you don't really have time to boot up a computer before your dream "floats away". Really the best thing to do is keep a digital recorder on your nightstand that you can use to document your dreams, even in a groggy state. Then transcribe the audio to a written or typed journal when you're fully awake. Happy dreaming!

[lawilahd]

Typing your DJ did not negatively effect your dream recall, its all in your head. You probably happened to go through a dry spell coincidently right after you started typing the dreams. I can tell you this, I have never handwritten my dreams, always typed them either on DV or other files on my computer hardrive, and it has never negatively effected my recall and ability to LD (which has consistently gotten better, as it should). I still have dry spells like everyone does, due to stress, and sometimes just forgetfulness, as I had other things on my mind.

[gan_naire]

I use the method where I jot down notes when I wake up from a dream, that way, it's really fast, the lights stay off, and yes my handwritting, and spacing is usually really weird looking, but at least I don't put too much effort into it then and there, and I get to go back to sleep quicker. In the morning, that's when I'll look at the notes, and it all comes flooding in, and I can sure as hell type faster than I can write something down.

[voxAETHER]

I have a smart phone so I simply write my dreams in my evernote dream journal. It is a wonderful app and I highly recommend it.

[AURON]

Depends on what's the most comfortable for you. Personally, I can type a shit load of stuff in the fraction of time it took me to write it, so I go with that. If you want to have something close to you, you could invest in one of those portable digital audio recorders. That way you can go back to sleep, and write it down or type it up whenever you fully wake up.

[Mancon]

I think if you have the time (especially for beginners) having a handwritten journal is better. It is a bit faster to type it though. I personally write down key words on paper when I wake up then type of the detailed dream later.

[Juf]

Personally i record myself recalling the dream and type up up later :p

[ThePreserver]

I like hand-written dream journals, because 1) I don't have anything to type on in my room, and 2) I like having a physical copy of all of my dreams. Never need technology, only writing utensil and paper! I don't see how there would be a difference in how well you remember it, but I focus more when I'm writing by hand.

[Hidden]

I use a handwritten DJ, and just type up my interesting/lucid dreams if I feel like it. But then, I'm a little obsessed with pretty notebooks, which I'm guessing isn't one of your priorities. I also like being able to write down my dreams without having to turn on a light (even the light of a computer screen), even if I sometimes have to go back in the morning and interpret some of the more jumbled words before I forget what the dream was. Plus, I have enough trouble motivating myself to roll over to grab my DJ; I can't see myself booting up my computer in the middle of the night and sitting up to type my dreams.

[JohnnyBoi]

I only type my explicit lucid dreams into my computer using a program called DreamJournal. The company that owns it is "BanHurt". It allows you to lock the dream journal with a password too so others can't view it. Once again, all my "normal" dreams go into my handwritten journal but all the sexually explicit ones into my online journal

[Enjyu]

When I go to sleep I keep a sheet of paper next to my bed, so I can write down my dreams in case I wake up in the middle of the night. When I get up in the morning I type my dreams out in as much detail as possible. I then read through it a few times to see if I didn't forget anything, and finally write it down in a notebook. I prefer to write down my dreams instead of saving them on my computer. That way I don't lose anything in case my computer blows up again. Sometimes I read through my dream journal before I go to sleep. Reading from a notebook is easier on the eyes than reading from a screen, especially at night. Using a notebook also enables me to read while lying in bed. That way I don't have to get up and walk to my bed, so I can fall asleep faster.

[Robot_Butler]

The light from a computer monitor screws me up. I get the best results from a paper journal with very low lighting. Maybe a flashlight, or just ambient moonlight through the window. For example, if I go into the bathroom and flick on the light, my recall vanishes.

[carebearboy]

Here's how I do it with my laptop: I have a laptop that sits on my bed near my pillow. I open up a text editing program with my DJ in it. I type the date in and the time I think I'll be asleep. I then put the screen in dim mode and invert the screen colours on my writing program so that the background is black and the rest is off-white. I make sure the edit program is taking up the whole window. When I feel tired I just shut the laptop lid, and when I wake up I just open the laptop lid and start tying. I then type key words describing parts of the dream beginning at the end of the dream and working my way to the begginning of the dream. I look at my list of dream signs, and for me there are many, and I see if any of the dream signs bring forth any more memories of the dream. After I got the key words of the story, I'm good. I know that with these magical keys I can afford to take my time now and go into detail without forgetting other parts of the dream. I go back and I type the dream out making sure to type everything as if it's happening right now, and not a past event. I read through the dream two more times and fill in details that I missed, and there are always details more things to add. I make sure that anyone reading the dream could understand what it means, not just myself at that present time. Anybody should be able to read the dream and not be confused. If it's confusing I won't be motivated to read it later on. Later that day I might take a look through that dream again to see if I can add anything to it or make it more easily readible.

[dreamerJon23]

@IamCoder, Yes that is my favorite way to do it.

[Robot_Butler]

I just read an article about software that adjusts the color and intensity of your computer monitor to minimize interruption to your circadian rhythm. I can't remember what it was called.

[DeathCell]

I do things exactly as you, scrap paper to a booklet. Fuck technology.

[Irdoko]

I have no paper or pencil. So I use my computer which imo is much better mainly because: 1. Its organized. 2. I have infinite "paper" so I can write out as much detail about my dream as possible 3. Dont have to deal with hand cramping 4. Its faster to type than to write 5. I always know where my DJ is. 6. No pencil/pen needed.

[TheSkies]

I do mine on the computer - it means I can add images and colour text. Also, I can sync to any computer I use, which is multiple. Take a looksie: But as for a recall issue, I have strong recall anyway, but I always take a few minutes to collect my thoughts before writing anything. Or if I don't have time, right down all the details - the big plot follows...

[DeathCell]

Advantages of paper & pen. 1. Longer lasting. 2. A classic feel, connecting with the way people have been recording information for thousands of years. 3. A connection to our baser way of doing things. 4. Typing leads to carpal tunnel... It's not safer than writing. 5. Better chance someone discovers your writings in hundreds of years, hardrives crash.. Paper kept safe from the elements can last thousands of years. Though any method will work, if you want a classic feel.. Stick to paper. I especially like theskies example, that's nice. But FYI. You can add images, by drawing your own dreams.

[theCambino]

Much like what IAmCoder had said, I collect fresh notes immediately after waking up. And later in the day I will handwrite my dream journal entries, or on occasions I will bust out the mechanical type writer. PEEYAHHH! But because I have mad recall skills from amazing memory, a selection of words or a single sentence will bring visuals and details of the dream back. For the OP... Not sure if this will work, but a good way to possibly build your recall abilities is to periodically recall activities or milestones you have experienced during the day, or a movie you recently seen I guess. Rebuild the movie going backwards from scene to scene. Just a thought. I do mine on the computer. Interesting.

[TheSkies]

I've nothing against pen and paper - in fact, I prefer it. But I have found that for most applications, computers are more convenient for my lifestyle. So far I've written over 10,000 words and embedded many images - that would be a lot of paper, and I try to be eco-friendly. I could draw the environments, but I think 3D modelling is a great way to capture everything, with all the detail that may not be capturable by drawing.

[Hidden]

I could draw the environments, but I think 3D modelling is a great way to capture everything, with all the detail that may not be capturable by drawing. Isn't that a lot of work though? Unless you have a 3D modeling program that makes it super easy to do basic landscapes. I find that the dreams that make me wish I could draw well are kinda strange-looking--wouldn't that be kinda hard to model reasonably quickly?

[TheSkies]

Isn't that a lot of work though? Unless you have a 3D modeling program that makes it super easy to do basic landscapes. I find that the dreams that make me wish I could draw well are kinda strange-looking--wouldn't that be kinda hard to model reasonably quickly? I would have been if I had only started using Google SketchUp when I started my DJ, but I had been proficient at SketchUp for a while beforehand. It's usually for buildings or square places, but the sandbox floor/contour mapping is also very easy to use. Here is something I created in literally 5 minutes dead (I timed it): http://i43.tinypic.com/33vf8cy.png