almost had it...

So I've had LDs all my life, but I didn't know what they were until I found this site a couple months ago. I've been very excited to know that I wasn't alone in the universe (others thought me crazy). Since then, not one LD! I don't get it! Just last week though, I started to LD and was so excited I woke myself up. FRUSTRATING!! I think part of the reason I'm not having any LD experiences is 1) they were usually nightmares that I learned to control and 2) Xanax makes it very difficult to remember dreaming and/or to wake up. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know there are all these techniques and things, but I'm a working mom with 4 kids and I don't have the time or energy when it comes to be bedtime. Also, if it came so naturally before, I don't see why I would have to try so hard now...any thoughts??? :embarrassed:

If it happened naturally then just try not thinking about it at all. Just go on as if you've never heard of it before, and maybe things will get back how they were?
Just a suggestion :)

Hey - I see you have been here for a month already - I had exactly the same problem as you, coming to terms and realising what lucid dreaming was kind of messed with my head and for me unfortunately this lead to a 6 month dry spell - but the positives to come out of that were now I LD when I like to through hard work and the creation of my own technique.

I think our minds put a block on lucid dreaming when you finally come to terms with understanding it. For me it was the same for hypnopompic sleep paralysis. I have only had this once in the last year when I realised what this actually was.

It has been a long journey, but one I am glad I took because not only did I meet a lot of very special, kind and knowledgeable people here to help me improve the quality of my lucid dreams, I have also improved the vividness longevity and frequency of them.

I am happy to talk with you, and help you through this with as much help and advice as I can offer you, and perhaps help you get your lucid dreams back quicker than it took me.

If you would like to talk, I am a PM away.

Adam

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I know there are all these techniques and things, but I'm a working mom with 4 kids and I don't have the time or energy when it comes to be bedtime.

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I think the biggest red flag is right there - stress. It doesn't have to be life-threatening or pulling-hair-from-your-head stress, but that tends to shift our focus away from certain things especially at a time when our mind is letting go (while falling asleep).

Try paying attention to what thoughts you harbor when your in the process of falling asleep. Are you recapping the day? Worried about the kids? Thinking about bills? Your focus should be your intent on dreaming. You may start out with that intent already, but your mind is probably wandering and by the time you get to late stage II, you're on a totally off topic.

I'd suggest a simple meditation technique during the day (if possibe):

Sit still, close your eyes, and try to block out ANY thoughts from your mind for 20 minutes. Imagine you're in a room with no windows on a planet with no sun under a thick blanked at night (dark enough?). It's ok if you can't find a perfectly quiet place. I actually find some background noise helpful as it gives me the impression that there's something "out there" and I'm "inside" this pitch black sphere.

Hope this helps.