Always early success, then a long dry spell

Hi folks,

So I go through phases of working hard on my lucidity or not at all. I'll stop for awhile, then get back into it, stop for awhile, get back into it. I know that's probably not uncommon.

But something I've noticed is that whenever I "get back into it", I'll typically have an LD within the first few days of trying. That gets me excited and encouraged, but then I usually have a long dry spell after that.

You'd think it would be the other way around, that the success of the first LD would feed more LD's. And it's usually immediately after that first LD that I really concentrate on doing checks and recording dreams, etc.

Not really sure there's a specific "question" here. I suppose I just wanted to share to see if anyone else had had similar experiences. Or ideally someone may have some suggestions of how I can push that initial success into something more consistent.

Thanks!

Sounds like me. After initial success suddenly there is a streak of failures that makes me quit it - actually the
quitting part of the cycle is happening right now to me :/

Hello fellow dry spellers!

Look, I know exactly what you are talking about...right now, I am currently breaking my "longest dry spell record ever" with lucid dreaming. It's a bummer and it gets really frustrating at times...but I can't give up. Just like you, I will get lucid at the beginning of the month and then all of a sudden...nothing! I have come to the realization that this is just how my body works. A good friend (Canis Lucidus) told me:

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You'll get it! I always feel the same way when I'm dry for a while. I'll get busy with work or something, my sleep will get thrown off, and my dream life will seem to be circling the drain. But I think you'll find that once you have the time and energy to refocus on your dream life, get plenty of sleep, and not let other stuff intrude on your sleep that it'll all come back to you.

Happily, even if it's been a few days, you are still you. And it's you that made all of your other lucids happen before. You'll do it again! :goodjob2:

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I know my next LD is just around the corner and yours is too! Don't give up! We all go through this and giving up will only prolong the LD that is waiting for you! No matter how long it takes to get lucid...isn't it still just as sweet? Stay encouraged! ;)

So here's what I am reading: You're disappointed that you didn't have more lucids after the first one? Correct me if I'm wrong.

One of the issues here is that you get disappointed - you should instead be happy that you've had a lucid dream, and look forward to the next one. You have to tell yourself "I can do it!" and not worry so much about it having to come within the next few days. As a beginner, it can often take weeks to have your first LD - let alone your second, so it's not negative to go on a dry streak for a week, two or even three.

When you have a lucid dream, try to figure out what you did correctly that made you have one. Analyze your recent and past lucid dreams. Think about everything you did during the day and night of your success, your thought process while falling asleep, everything you can. You should then have some clues as to what worked for you. Try to figure out what worked for you and repeat it. Once you know from experience what works for you, and are able to repeat it, then you can become consistent.

As everyone has said, don't be discouraged if this happens! It's quite common. Persistence is key, but don't over-do it. Think about your reasons for lucid dreaming, read some stuff on the forums, relax a bit, figure out what made the last dream click. As long as you don't give up or get too lazy with it (which can be hard to avoid at times), your success will increase! :woohoo:

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Originally Posted by Kruse

So here's what I am reading: You're disappointed that you didn't have more lucids after the first one? Correct me if I'm wrong.

One of the issues here is that you get disappointed - you should instead be happy that you've had a lucid dream, and look forward to the next one. You have to tell yourself "I can do it!" and not worry so much about it having to come within the next few days. As a beginner, it can often take weeks to have your first LD - let alone your second, so it's not negative to go on a dry streak for a week, two or even three.

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Kruse, nope, just the opposite. As I said in my post, after the first lucid I get pretty excited and very encouraged...

Yep, that's me as well. I've just had another very brief LD, but that was after 2 months of a dry spell!
Just now I am up-beat and re-enthused from the success, but as the dry spell drags on it's very difficult to remain happy.