Remember your dreams without writing them down

[jamiealexander]

I'm not really sure this should go in the journal section considering it's got nothing to do with a journal. I don't know if any of you have tried this before, but I've been remembering much more dreams recently since I started trying a new technique. So much so that it sometimes doesn't even feel like I've slept. Remembering being lucid earlier in the night is also easier to remember. The idea is to go over your dreams like normal, but instead of writing them down you try and hold the memories in your head for as long as possible. Maybe you'll only manage a few minutes to begin with until you build it up to hours. Give it a try and tell me what you think.

[TheOneirologist]

In a manner I've done this myself. During the school year I value my sleep so much that I usually don't take two minutes to write down my dreams in the morning. However, I still remember fragments of dreams even though I haven't written any down in months, and when I particularly like a dream I can remember it for most of the day, even to the point that I can still write it down when I get home. Still, I'd say that if you really like a dream then you have to write it down...otherwise you're bound to forget it eventually.

[CharlesD]

This morning was the first time in my life I've ever written any down. I guess my recall is pretty good in that regard.

[howtoluciddream]

It works for as long as you manage to keep your memory in your head for over 5 minutes or so. It transforms from volatile short term memory to long term memory and even though you think you're forgotten it, you don't have. I use both methods, because sometimes it's hard to remember the general topic of the dream and there's where the dream journal comes in handy.

[Prancingwolf]

Yes, I also do the same thing. I've found that it aids in recall when you review your DJ I can remember dreams from many months ago when I read my DJ