Milestone: Reached 1000 LDs!

[Cobalt Storm]

It's been about 5 1/2 years since I first learned about lucid dreaming, and it has been an interesting ride. The 1000th LD was just a plain-old Layer 1 quickie--just barely lucid, and only lasting a few seconds. per month^ The most major problem for years was forming a solid, consistent strategy. First, there was this long period where I would use one, maybe two basic stabilization tactics if I remembered them, and then went for my shapeshifting-related goals. Sometimes I could get a couple minutes of lucidity. The majority of the time, they lasted less than 30 seconds. Despite this, I continued striving for only my goals for around 18 months. After that period of time, I got sick for 10 days, which set me back. It is my biggest drop-off in LD frequency up to the present day--46 LDs one month, and 7 the next. So, this suddenly became the biggest problem. Over the following 12 or so months, I switched my priority from in-dream goals to getting my rates back up to the 20-40/month range. My efforts were unsuccessful. Over the course of 2016, I continued to experiment with induction techniques, trying to find something that produced consistent results. As for in-dream stuff, I had the idea to use certain phrases to increase lucidity once I became lucid. Again, unsuccessful. Problem: Cannot find consistent strategy for either induction, nor lucidity increase. Forgot stabilization techs. At this point, I shifted my priorities to this: Achieve minimum specifications for a lucid dream before doing my in-dream objectives. (Those minimum specs are lucidity Layer 3, and the surroundings feel real/look solid.) In September 2016, I thought, 'Hey, all these different phrases I've using haven't worked. What if I combine them into one scripted routine?' On September 27, I performed this new routine (that I dubbed simply, "The Procedure", later "Procedure M1") in a dream that I became lucid in via RC. BAM. Suddenly, I was at Layer 3. Variations of the Procedure have often produced desired results since. Stability was still an issue, however. Problem: Cannot find consistent strategy for induction. Forgot stabilization techs. During the following months, I used the Procedure as much as I could whenever I became lucid. I experimented, but didn't put much thought to stability. Despite this, I've had a number of lucid dreams that have lasted over 10 minutes due to the Procedure; before, I wasn't getting anywhere near that. Then comes June 10, 2017. Coming off a long dry spell (according to my standards) of 17 days, I figured, 'Hey, what about WBTB? I had a very success rate with it the few times I used it in the past...what if I use it every other night?' Next morning, BAM, LD from WBTB. 3 days later, another with WBTB, and another 2 days after that. Then, on June 27, I reinstated DEILD as a primary tech, used to fill the gaps between nights in which I use WBTB. The following weeks were incredibly dense with LDs, both minor and major, and I spent around 3-4 hours in lucid dreams during the following July. Fun fact: The DEILDs didn't really work much; it just helped to have a backup strat. Problem: Unreliable stabilization method. Now, I have incorporated basic stabilization techs, including but not limited to rubbing hands and spinning, into my Procedure M6(as in the 6th revision). I have tested it, and it seems to work. Now it comes to this: I have shifted my quality standards up again, and am going for the whole enchilada: Layer 4 Lucidity with a totally solid environment. I have added on some more stabilization prior to the Procedure, which I have dubbed "Initialization". This strategy has worked, and allows for me to perform the following Procedure in a relatively stable environment. I have developed the "Plan", which includes Initialization, 1st Procedure, 2nd Stabilization, 2nd Procedure, and 3rd Stabilization. In theory, the plan will result in reaching Layer 4 and well solidifying the environment, as long as those goals are remembered. I have yet to test this. I have developed the "Observing State," which involves observing sight, sound, and touch at the same time, with sight as the dominant sense. It is a WILD strategy that currently works best in non-WBTBs--and I am improving its efficiency (so I can properly relax) to include WBTBs. As a result of this effort towards WILD, DEILDs occasionally happen. I'm working towards being versatile enough to consistently have a high number of top-quality LDs when a good or regular sleep schedule isn't available. I'm balls-to-the-wall motivated, and several other major roadblocks(many not listed here) seem to have been overcome. I'd call that a great beginning. Hopefully I can put it all together before the start of the next lucid dreaming competition.