Hi fellow Oneironauts.

So I've been doing this practice for 8 going on 9 years (since I was 17). I have had success with Michael Radugas Indirect Method and LaBerge's MILD technique.

But I have noticed that when I have accidentally achieved a DILD, it's obvious because I realized I was dreaming. But usually one notices they are dreaming to an oddity correct? So that is where the dream signs come in.

But the times I have noticed I was dreaming, it wasn't because I noticed something out of the ordinary in the dream, rather I notice I am dreaming due to the fact I realize I'm having a conscious experience when I should be sleeping.

In other words, I realize I'm dreaming due to the fact I am in a conscious experience and remember I am in bed. I realize im dreaming due to noticing im dreaming more or less if that makes sense.

Same for when I talk in a dream, I catch that and becoming aware im dreaming because if i notice i am laughing in my dream, then obviously I'm now in conscious control of my actions if I'm thinking that and know I should be sleeping.

So my question is, how can I use this to my advantage? Thank you and sorry for long post. But this has been bugging me for a few years and i can't figure out how to turn this to my favor. Obviously I have no one else to turn to besides books (which dont really go over this beisdes reality checks and the ususl) so I'd like to ask my fellow Lucid Dreaming friends.