Failed RC and Convincing Myself I'm Not Dreaming

**Therome** · 12-22-2014 01:55 PM

Hello everybody, I have only had one lucid dream so far in my life (one year ago) and a few weeks ago I nearly had an OBE (I had my torso up but my legs wouldn't move), so whenever there is a slight chance of me almost becoming lucid I get really excited. Well, last night while I was in a dream I decided I would check my fingers, and alas I noticed I had six! I felt them, counted them over and over, and then simply thought "This cannot be right, why do I have five fingers?" but could not realize I was dreaming. I even went and showed my mom in dream and she said it was weird too. Any help with this? It is mighty discouraging of how close I was to a lucid dream. I perform these RC's around 5-10 times a day of just looking at my fingers and also blowing my nose, but what else should I do to avoid situations like this?

**virusje** · 12-22-2014 03:02 PM

When you do a RC, really ask yourself if you could be dreaming.
Like counting your fingers, you just count them 5 fingers, in a dream you just count them, okay 6/7 fingers.
When you count them IRL count 5 fingers, okay that's right this must be the waking life, check your surroundings, okay this is definitely not a dream. You must really be sure you are not dreaming, not just count them and that's it.

Hope this helps.

**Rothgar** · 12-22-2014 06:00 PM

You were actually very close I think. Next time I predict you will think.."wait a minute...this happened before and I didn't catch on.But this is a dream!"

**rattlebones1** · 12-22-2014 07:30 PM

This situation has happened to me before, but the net time it did, I remembered it happening before and became lucid. All you have to do is try to remember that incident and try to catch it next time. Good luck to you.

**ThreeCat** · 12-23-2014 05:56 PM

This is is a frustrating occurrence that happens to all of us from time to time. Like Rothgar said, you were very close to lucidity. I agree with what has been said, but would add that a second RC in your repertoire would not hurt: if you count a correct number of fingers, but still suspect you are dreaming, try to read a piece of text, look away, and try to read it again, or check a digital watch twice in the same fashion. You should also check out the nose plug. Good luck. The idea is that if one check fails, another might succeed. I have a feeling you will be successful quite soon.

**Therome** · 12-24-2014 03:06 AM

Thanks guys for the help and encouragement! I am more determined now that I was so close that I am sure I will have one in the coming days. Thanks for the help again, I'll make sure to use those tricks and tips mentioned above and be more conscious while doing my reality checks