reality checks...

[colby98]

I am having a lot of trouble doing RCs during the day. I have tried to set up specific times during the day to do them, but I either forget or simply don't do it. It's probably a motivation problem, but I would REALLY like some tips on turning RCs into a habitual thing. Please reply with any ideas at all!

[MakoEyes]

I've been meaning to do this myself: Get a digital wristwatch and set it so that the alarm goes off at the top of every hour. When you hear the beep, do a RC. It doesn't matter what kind of RC you do. Just remember to ask yourself, "Hey, am I dreaming?" and then do a RC to justify your answer. If doing that at the top of every hour all day every day doesn't make doing RCs a habitual thing...I dunno what will.

[Rebelution]

Personally I like to do RCs when really strange things are happening. This will help me do at least 2 to 3 RCs a day, I don't know whether that is average or I live an out-of-the-ordinary life, but I am banking on that time something strange happens and I reality check to find I am in a dream! Mako's watch suggestion is really helpful, I have seen that a few times around. You could always shoot for doing RCs every time you pass through a doorway (in a dream, at one point or another you are bound to pass through a doorway!). I have tried this before and it's really hectic because you forget often, or end up doing it so much you get annoyed. The point is, all you need is something simple and it will become a helpful habit.

[Maria92]

Try to ease into the habit of becoming more aware of the events and world around you. Reality checks are a useful tool, but I have also read a lot of accounts of them failing at the worst possible times. I would get in the habit of doing reality checks by some means or other, and backing them up with awareness. To get in the habit, I have set up a program that pops up with a little reminder every 15 minutes or so on my computer. (The program is called Stickies, by the way.) As for awareness and reality checking, if you carry a watch, any of the watch methods above would work great. You could also leave tangible sticky notes lying around or draw a letter/symbol on the back of your hand. It will become easier to do as you get into the swing of things, too. Good luck!