I just saw this thread right after I posted a similar one, "1 Year Later," and it seems we are having similar experiences. I have also switched to a more casual approach to lucid dreaming and always make sure to do affirmations before bed. I read something similar to the piano analogy and that's what changed my view on lucid dreaming to something that takes time rather than something that just requires a technique. It's interesting to see how my experience is turning out similar to yours, although you seem to be progressing quicker than me.