doing reality checks in a dream is an achievement. Its being on the verge of being lucid.

Its amazing the things that happen in dreams that we accept without questioning.

If you have good dream recall that's a key first step. (If you don't remember your dreams, you won't remember your lucid dreams).

I recommend you read about MILD technique. Part of that is to analyze your vivid dreams and see what elements could have told you that you were dreaming. This builds up the mental muscles to help you become lucid.

good luck