creo44's Workbook

Reality Checks:
-- finger through palm
-- feeling nervous/self-conscious in a social setting
-- when I read a note I left myself to perform a RC

Dream Signs:
-- anything involving the house I grew up in
-- marching band/ drumline
-- working at my old job / a retail store

Short-Term Goals:
-- establish a more consistent and earlier sleep schedule
-- improve recall to full, fluid dream stories (rather than bits and pieces)
-- recall multiple full dreams for each night
-- practice awareness until its automatic

Long-Term Goals:
-- succeed in WILD and DILD techniques
-- attain 3 LD/week

Lucid/Dream Recall History:
-- When I was about 9 I had a lucid dream (though I didn't know thats what it was called) that had a profound effect on my perception of reality. Got into dreamwork during highschool when a friend introduced me to lucid dreaming, OBEs, psi-wheels etc. Been coming back to the dreamwork off and on for the past four years or so.

Current Technique(s):
-- WILD (most nights)
-- DILD

Hi creo, welcome to the intro class! :)

If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Been very consistent with recording my dreams every night. I have a pretty solid routine down wherein I get in the right state of mind before going to bed, doing some progressive relaxation techniques accompanied by strong intentions to realize that I'm dreaming once I fall asleep. I feel I'm doing pretty well in this area and my dream journal entries are getting better. I'm remembering more specific details and recognizing occurrences where it would be a good opportunity to realize I'm dreaming.

However, I'm having trouble being diligent about performing reality checks throughout the day- I average two or three a day and most of these are when I walk by a reminder note I've written to myself. I know RCs and awareness in general could really help boost DILD technique. Does anyone have any tips on cultivating awareness throughout the day and really laying in those RCs? I seem to get caught up with the days activities and its mostly right when I wake up and an hour or so before bed that I really focus on dreamwork.

Have you tried wearing a rubber band or something on your wrist? That helped me a lot to remember to do reality checks because I'd often see it. And try to remember to RC when you're in the middle of something too. Don't think "i'll reality check after i finish this" because in dreams, you're usually doing something, so that's when you should RC.

If you are practicing awareness, i suggest spending a few minutes a day just taking in all your senses. Maybe sit alone, then just focus on awareness the entire time. That is pretty much how I did awareness the first few weeks, until it gradually became second nature.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paigeyemps

Have you tried wearing a rubber band or something on your wrist? That helped me a lot to remember to do reality checks because I'd often see it. And try to remember to RC when you're in the middle of something too. Don't think "i'll reality check after i finish this" because in dreams, you're usually doing something, so that's when you should RC.

If you are practicing awareness, i suggest spending a few minutes a day just taking in all your senses. Maybe sit alone, then just focus on awareness the entire time. That is pretty much how I did awareness the first few weeks, until it gradually became second nature.

Good luck!

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Wearing a rubber band now and it serves as a constant reminder. Will be setting aside time for awareness in the coming weeks and hoepfully it will turn into not having to set aside time for it.

Thanks for the wonderful advice!!

Rubber band sounds like a good idea...body awareness is a big part of reality checks...grounding, being centered...etc..

welcoME! :))))

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chimpertainment

Rubber band sounds like a good idea...body awareness is a big part of reality checks...grounding, being centered...etc..

welcoME! :))))

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Thanks for the welcome! I've been wearing a rubberband constantly for about 10 days and it has been great as a reminder for reality checks.

On a side note, I haven't been consistently attempting my usual nightly WILD/DILD attempts of late (due to changes in my schedule over the holidays) but am determined to pick up where I left off. Also looking forward to recording dreams in my new dream journal :)

A brief update: I am still working on consistently and repeatedly exerting reality checks throughout the day, and normalizing my sleep schedule.

As much as I hate to admit it, the next five months are going to be extremely busy for me. I've been trying to hold onto the resolve that began in December but the unforgiving waking life yields no compromise. Worry not, for I still continue to record my dreams each night and still in the back of my mind yearn for that lucid dream. But alas, duty calls and I must tend to my studies and my job to such an extent that the progress I hope for will unwillingly be out of reach once again. Even so, I vow that the postponement of this venture will be vindicated one glorious day.

I am in no way giving up what I have learned/experienced, nor am I letting myself fall into a "dreamless" sleep. Simply, this post is a reckoning, that progress is still to be made- however long it takes.

~Sweet dreams~

Hey creo, no worries at all. It's nice to see such an optimistic attitude despite the burdens of waking life. Rest assured with that awesome attitude and mindset, you'll get awesome lucids as well in due time. We totally understand that waking life comes first, and your well-being is top-priority, so if you ever need anything anytime, we'll be here as always!

Nice update. Very poetic, I think. Life can sometimes get hectic. We all understand taking a break and taking care of yourself and life in general first. Wish you the best.