Frustration.................

I don't understand my brain.
Sometimes it's really good to me. In the past, it's given me Heath Ledger on a beach in Hawaii. So I know it is capable of great things.
But why is it when I try to go lucid, it never happens?
I've been doing my RC's faithfully. I've been aware. I've talked to myself before going to sleep. Nothing.
But if I don't think about it, don't bother, LD's just come out of nowhere. Is there some kind of science to this? Or am I just more stubborn and difficult than I realize?

Any hints, tips, suggestions?

The thing with LDs is, if you get too excited or nervous about having them, you probably won't have any. If you're consciously making an effort, but you're trying too hard, they won't come easily...They're frustrating like that. lol

EXACTLY! For the past 2 days I've had zilch, yet before that, over a period of 3 days I had 4 or 5 LD's, even while slacking off on my dream journal. I know how you feel, because When I try, I have almost no luck. I think rather than feeling bad and trying to force them, a more gentle approach is necessary. I say this because I have been trying too, and my brain seems to work around what I suggest to it. You've had luck in the past so they're in there somewhere, just keep trying but perhaps just gently reviewing your past LD's, imagining yourself becoming lucid again, or taking a moment during the day when you do some reality checks to really just stop, think, and compare it to the dream world as you can remember it can help.

I hope you have some more luck soon :)

Don't protest too much.

When you try to drill stuff into your head it only shows that you have underlying doubts of your capability.

Say "I am dreaming. I am lucid." ...and believe yourself when you say it. Gently guide your brain to go lucid, don't try to boss it around.

Thanks you guys!! It's comforting to know that I'm not alone in this.
I will definitely try a more gentle, guiding approach with more visualization. No one likes being bossed around, so maybe that's why I've been so unsuccessful lately!

If you create too much anxiety for yourself, your brain may try to avoid it. Maybe it is a confidence thing. A big factor in successful LDing is confidence. Kind of like prayer or voodoo, you have to believe it for its effects to manifest themselves.

Since you've had success before you may just be going through a dry spell. Relax and try not to pressure yourself too much. Hmmm... I need to take my own advice; I think I too have been trying too hard the past few days - my last LD was nearly a week ago and I've missed several prime DSs each night :oops:

I'm also having a similar problem. I recently joined the forum because I've had a dry spell for over a year now. When will it come back?!

Lucid Dreams are like a gift. There are specific techniques that are said to induce that, but there really is no scientific proof that anything will cause a sure lucid dream. You can't tell before you fall asleep if you're going to gain conscioussness while dreaming. It just happens. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't happen, just be greatful when it does :)