LD training while sharing a bed

**Snakeboy** · 08-27-2024 04:34 PM

I am still in the early phases of training. Dream journal, reality checks, reading books, watching videos, listening to podcasts, etc. When it comes to bed time, I am trying to be respectful to my partner and not wake her up in the middle of the night. When I remember a dream and want to write down some key points before I forget, I'd rather not turn a light on. I thought a light-up pen might be a good way to minimize disruption. I found one on amazon with a red light, which is supposed to be even less disruptive (compared to the blue light from screens, which can keep us awake). Search amazon for "Zonon Lighted Tip Pen Flashlight Writing Ballpoint Pens LED Penlight Light Up Pen with Bright White Light for Writing in the Dark, 3 Pieces (Red Light, Black Shell) " or use the link below. 3 for $9 is a great deal. I wish it could write upside down better so I didn't have to sit up or roll over to write, but I think it's a good solution. The light is bright enough to scrawl something semi-legible, enough so I can read them in the morning and expand upon them in my journal.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SMHQ8TR...sin_title&th=1

That made me wonder, has anyone found other 'partner friendly' things/products/methods which help prevent disturbing others? I'd read that some people use a spare room, but not everyone has that luxury.

**Lang** · 08-27-2024 04:42 PM

Some people use a recorder.

**Snakeboy** · 08-27-2024 04:53 PM

I have heard that. I guess if one's partner doesn't sleep lightly it could work well.

**Sweven** · 08-27-2024 08:56 PM

I've slept on the couch or the floor in the past. Made a production of it, a sleep over with me, myself, and my dreams. Had my scribble journal, a couple of pens, and water nearby. Sleeping alone I've had some of the best sleep and most memorable lucid dreams

I've tried earbuds for podcasts but I can't stand the pressure they cause in my ears.

I have a voice activated recorder. What wasn't ideal about the recorder is that snoring activates it as well. If you have no snorers in the vicinity, a recorder is excellent.

**tacky** · 08-27-2024 11:22 PM

i sleep alone, but personally i just use a simple notes app in my phone to jot down dreams, later moving that to a proper place. as long as you have brightness way down, and blue light off, you should be fine. if you like handwriting, you could try one of those fancy ipads with the pens for the same effect.

**WilliamThirteen** · 08-29-2024 02:06 PM

i find waking and leaving the bed useful for WBTB. i just tell the wife not to worry if i am out of the bed for a while as i will be in the other room writing down my dreams, and perhaps reading some dream related material before returning to bed to continue. We have hue lights so i can be in the other room with very dim red/orange light - though still enough to read and write. Another issue is when returning to the bed to return to dreamland, it can take some time to fall asleep again, especially if she is moving about. L-theanine can assist both of us in this regard.

Just noted that you may not have a spare room - what about the bathroom? One might need to leave the bed to pee and could keep the journal ready in there - again a dim light would help.

**Snakeboy** · 08-29-2024 05:27 PM

The light-up pend works well for me, at least for the initial quick note-jotting. However, I haven't yet tried WBTB, so this might come in handy down the road!

When I first started researching LDs and read about WBTB, my gut reaction was "nope, not for me!" because I tend to not get very good sleep. I can fall asleep in the beginning fine, but then I often wake up early and just lie there until it seems like time to get up. However, since I have started with the dream journal, I find my sleep has improved quite a bit! I am not 100% sure why, but I find the practice has changed my relationship with bedtime to a more positive thing.

**Silence11** · 08-31-2024 07:57 AM

Maybe there's less time wasted doing nothing in bed? I know since I've reintroduced dream journaling into my life I spend less time on my phone now. I want to sleep for as long as I can. I don't want to wake up tired, then I have nothing to write about. There's also a bit of trying to optimize how fast you sleep every night, after every wbtb. I want to sleep faster, sleep longer, dream more baby!