Thread: What's the Point of a Dream Journal?

Why do I need a dream journal? I can already recall a dream a night and the few times I have obtained lucidity I remember the entire experience. It seems, in my case, a waste of good paper.

There's no need to use one.

Some of us like to write them down for later review or the ability to recognize dreaming trends and dreamsigns.

Some of us just like sharing our dreams with others.

The point is you don't have to do it unless you wish to.

I too can recall at least a dream a night, sometimes many more. However, when using a dream journal, I started to remember dreams in such extreme detail compared to when I didn't. Even if you have good dream recall, dream journals still improve it, because trust me, you're not remembering every detail and every emotion experienced during all of your dreams.

I only stopped using a dream journal because of lack of convenience with my busy and ever-changing schedule. But if/when my life settles down, I plan to start one again.

I was able to remember very detailed dreams when I started using a dream journal. Then when I stopped, I started to forget details, until I can barely remember my dreams at all. I went back to writing my dreams and it's slowly getting momentum. However, I still find it difficult to lucid dream.

I use a dream journal to help with recall, to keep lucid dreaming on my mind, and so I can go back and read past dreams. Over time you might forget small details, for example, my first lucid dream was July last year and i thought i remembered it perfectly but i re-read what i wrote about it and I'd forgotten the reason why i became lucid. Also by time you have, say 50 lucid dreams, it'll probably get harder to remember each one.

It'll help improve your recall too, like PalmDreamer said.

Plus it's fun to go back and read past dreams.

I use my dream journal both to remember my dreams, but also to evaluate my attempt so I can learn from each night.

With the help of my dream journal I have found ideal bedtimes, things that completely makes it impossible to lucid dream and my exact steps to induce one And lots more.

It's more than just a piece of paper ^-^ ... Even though I write it on the computer.

i only write my lucid dreams down. i used to write down all my normal dreams but that took forever because i recall a few dreams a night, and it killed my damn hand.

Thank you for all your replies. Now I have a different question. Is it okay if right after I wake up I type it on a computer instead of writing them down? Putting aside the fact that It takes up to much paper, my handwriting in the morning is just terrible so it is hard to decipher my own writing when I do go back and look at it. Also, seems more secure so no one can read my dreams.

Yes of course it's ok, unless you intend to use your computer on a WBTB, that's not recommended to do because of the light. Always stay away from bright lights on a WBTB.
However it takes about 20+ seconds to start a computer, are you sure that you wont forget details from the dream during that time? Consider those things first.

too help people remember their dreams. i barely use one any more because i usually can remember atleast 1-2 dreams per night. When i had one though, i could remember like 3-4 dreams per night. It helps with finding dream signs and focusing on where you should focus your reality checks on.

I usually have really good recall, but I try to keep up in my dream journal because it forces me to think about lucid dreaming and take it seriously. I have much better luck getting lucid when I've been fairly regular with dream journaling, and I tend to get dry spells when I don't. Plus, as others have said, it does help you remember more and in better detail, and can make you really think about what typical behaviors and events go on in your average dream.

Dream journals help you translate your memories into words. Just like taking notes in class, the act of writing helps to improve your memory. You can try lucid dreaming with and without a journal. My dream memory is noticeably more vivid when I journal.

If I don't switch images to words I forget. I have had a DJ for about two months and feel like I have had more dreams that I had ad before in my life, and I had a solid dream a night my entire life. Having a solid three dreams a night and can remember all of them if I just glance at the entry.

Just echoing what's been said here. I've been keeping a dream journal for about 2 weeks properly and the amount I've been writing has been generally more. Recall is getting better, I am remembering more dreams and I am having more lucid dreams.

I've started to notice a few patterns also.

I can recall a dream very well when I first wake up, but it's like holding on to sand, it slips through your fingers and by the end of the day there isn't much left.

If you can accurately remember more than one dream you had 2 days ago let alone 2 weeks ago then that is really impressive.

Like I said, you might not be interested in reading your previous dream experiences but it should enhance your recall (even if it is already good) and increase your chances of going lucid.

I used to write my dreams in a dream journal. I like to write down the dreams so that I can review them later.

I started LDs and journalling one year ago (in three days). I have a cool leather journal, my second one, and have journalled probably over 700 to 1000 dreams in that time. I replay the dream in my mind when I wake up, but dont journal until morning when I get up. I 'realize' things when I organize my thoughts and write them down....helps to learn better the factors for becoming lucid. I re-live the fantastic experiences I've had and know they are not lost. I have few written info about my ancestors... well, my descendants can use the journals to know my deepest subconscious thoughts. Also, most people havent a clue about the ability to lucid dream. I want to preserve that knowledge and my personal journey. I may write a book on LDs and have a LOT of reference material now!

It can be useful, but it is not necessary for everyone. I don't keep one myself, and I have had periods of nightly lucids. Keeping one did improve my recall quite a lot, but using my nightly awakenings for DEILD turned out to be more productive for me. Consider the ups and downs of keeping one, and figure out if you should keep a DJ or not. There are no rules for what you do and what you don't have to do concerning LD, there are only advices

Originally Posted by Spyguy

It can be useful, but it is not necessary for everyone. I don't keep one myself, and I have had periods of nightly lucids. Keeping one did improve my recall quite a lot, but using my nightly awakenings for DEILD turned out to be more productive for me. Consider the ups and downs of keeping one, and figure out if you should keep a DJ or not. There are no rules for what you do and what you don't have to do concerning LD, there are only advices

I've been wanting to try DEILD. Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Jkniager

I've been wanting to try DEILD. Any suggestions?

First of all, you need to recognize your nighttime awakenings. Everyone has them, but they are usually very brief, and we fall right back asleep without recognizing them. If you realize that, and you focus on wanting to recognize them, then you will start recognizing them within a few nights. Once you are aware of them, lay very still from the second you realize that you are awake. From that point onwards, it is basically a really fast version of WILD. Do not focus on any sensory input from waking life, focus on something like visualization (focussing on the dream scene you just exited works for a lot of people).
That's all there is to it I think. Good luck

For lucidity it all comes down to awareness. I use my dream journal as a tool to sort of "meassure" or compare my awareness of my dreams and with that knowledge it's easier to know what I need to improve in my awareness. It can be anything from not being aware that dream characters aren't real to not be aware that the dream situation in itself isn't important.

Whatever the area I need work on might be, a dream journal can help me get an overview of that and I can then use that information to increase my awareness.

So a dream journal might not be necessary, but to me it's a really powerful tool. And this is just one use of a dream journal

Which is why I keep my dream journal online on DV, unless I'm going overseas and have no access to internet or my laptop is not with me.

I believe most of us who wrote dream journals here are capable of recalling their dreams in details too, however there's no guarantee you can remember every single one of your dreams after a certain period of time. I used to be pretty rigorous about dream journalling everyday but I realised that made me unhappy because there's only a certain period of time where I can jot down my dreams without being disturbed. So I'm using my dream journal to record interesting or significant dreams for future reading.

Most of the time, I wake up feeling like I can remember my entire dream. I am just fooling myself. Once I start writing, more and more memories start appearing. It is not the same as when I just lie still and try to remember, or try to review my dreams in the shower. Something about the act of writing helps spark memory. It is pretty easy to try both ways. Journal for a few weeks, then take a few weeks off. You should immediately be able to see the difference. Everyone is different, so it is important to try it yourself.

I have my ipad next to my bed, and I use a journal app to record my dreams. If you have a tablet, keep it handy. So you dont need to turn on any lights or boot up a computer.
I reach over, grab my ipad and enter a new dream. I've been doing this for the past few weeks, and my dream recall has increased dramatically. I document 2-3 dreams a night, and my lucid dreams have increased too.

I usually remember my dreams well, but recently I was having a hard time recalling more than fragments/feelings. Last night, I told myself I'd write down all I could remember this morning, and I managed to write quite a lot. Just the intention of writing my dreams already helped me remember it more than what I was remembering.

Here's another good reason for a dream journal:

Every couple of years I read one or two of them (I have quite a few). Looking back at what I dreamed years ago can be a lot of fun, and truly enlightening as I'm returned to moments of lucidity that would have been long-forgotten had I not recorded them.

If you're serious about dreaming, keep a journal. It'll help you now, skill-wise, and it'll help you later, wisdom-wise. Also, keep it on paper if you can, because the pen-and-paper platform never becomes obsolete.