Thread: Oh, frustration. Le sigh.

Yes I know what you mean. When I was younger then I used to get more 'natural' LD's as I didn't know or read of any techniques back then. The lucid dreams used to seem longer, etc.
It may be that a plateau is reached when training, I dunno; and if you miss a day from your journal, or have a couple of bad day's sleep then it's like you take one step forward, then two steps back.
You may be over familiar with your current technique. If so you could always experiment or try a new one?
When we are younger, our imaginations tend to run riot. When we have our first ever LD, then it seems like 'wow', like it's a mystical experience. Maybe we lose the 'wow' factor as we get older, have more chores, more responsibilities, and therefore less time?
You could run through some 'old' dreams in your journal to inspire you again perhaps.
On the subconscious thing; well I love doing that. Everyone else seems like they want to blow things up, or kill things (good for them), but it's not what I want to do.
It can be quite random. I like the idea of gaining insights, or new ideas, etc.
I don't know if you are keeping a DJ. It can be a chore however, although it does help with recall in the long run.

(P.S: I don't tend to get nightmares that much either. I seem to get short LD's as well. With me I get the impression during mine that I'm not 'ready', or that I'm being 'tested' somehow?)

Regards and good luck.

I don't really use any techniques to become lucid. Perhaps I should start trying. I usually just realize 'hey, I'm dreaming' all on my own without trying anything in particular. I frequently find myself in schools in my dreams, and since I've been out of school for a long time, that tends to cause me to become lucid.
It never gets old for me, never loses the wow factor. And usually when I become lucid, the dream/my vision suddenly feels clearer so I have this moment of 'ALLLLRIGHT! =D' lol.
As far as the dream journal, I've kept one online off and on for years but I haven't been recording anything lately.

Awareness, where you suddenly realise it, that you are dreaming, I'd say is the best attribute to have. There is no harm in backing it up with a favourite technique however for some of the less obvious dreams. (Most people use an RC check - the nose plug is one of the favourites; however it relies on you doing this during the day, where you 'question' if what you are experiencing is a 'dream'? If you know what I mean.)
Also it sounds like you have a good solid dreamsign regading the school. I think if you started your DJ routine again then I think this would help you even more, as you will notice other common themes, plus it will help your recall.
My LD's have been doing the opposite once I gain awareness, where I often notice it goes black. I'm not frightened by it, but usually have to say, or shout (not too loud) out, "Clarity now!" or similar.

Yeah, I've heard of reality checking before. I should go re-read the thread with information about it.
The blackness thing happened to me last time I became lucid, not at the beginning though, at the point where I was trying to figure out what my subconscious said. After I asked what a "spirit tomato" was, everything started going dark and I was like "Oh no! I'm going to wake up, I don't want to wake up yet!" lol.
Does the verbal command work well for you, usually? I have tried it a couple of times when my dream vision was sort of hazy. One time it worked very well but another time I found when I tried to say "clearer" that I couldn't speak for some reason!

Can you tell me about some of your experiences with talking to your subconscious? And do you have a current goal for when you become lucid/speak with your subconscious?

The (verbal) command does sort of work. I have to be careful I don't shout and wake myself up. My recent lucids I have basically been confined to the house where I notice something odd & go, "Yay, I'm dreaming!" Alot have been short, low quality ones.
I have some examples in my DJ regarding speaking to my subconscious. Often a DC will say basically what I'm thinking, like they can read my mind - after all I suppose they are me? My subconscious?
I have had dreams where I have spoken to my Mom and Dad. They are my dreamsigns, etc. I'm still quite raw about it however.
I do like to interact with the characters. I will have to look for my dream guide as well?