cant become lucid

to me when i dream, its like im just watching a movie and i cant control anything. i KNOW im in a dream, but then i dont actually know. it sounds confusing but i think you know what i mean. but then last night i couldn't control anything in my dream, but then i was driving my friends subaru, i could control when i changed gears in his manual but that was it. how do i be able to control all aspects of my dream? not just little less important things. or i guess im asking, how do i become fully lucid? can someone explain a reality check?

sorry for being the ultimate newbie. thanks though

So, are you aware that you are dreaming while in the dream? I think that some tutorials on dream control could really benefit you.

Reality checks are checking your state to see if you are dreaming or not. It involves critically assessing the world around you, yourself, how you got here, etc. To determine whether or not you're dreaming and why. There are many different ways to reality check. Do you keep a dream journal? After you have some dreams written down, you can make a list of dream signs. When you are faced with these in waking life (or dreams) you should do a reality check. There are many ways to do reality checks. You can look at a digital clock, look away, and look back again to see if it's changed. Same with letters and writing. You can put your finger through your palm, jump to see if you float, and many more things.

It's important to really tell yourself that you could be dreaming at this point in time. Don't be fooled by how vivid a dream is, it may blow your mind to see just how real dreams can be.

Good luck!

It's happened to me twice. I first time, nothing happened. The second; I became semi-lucid. :)

of course im getting into this after the movie inception. but i really want to be able to control my dreams, sounds like a ton of fun. I've had dreams where ive been under water and i could still breathe, and then i know im dream. i get so excited and i wake up. i want to just keep going on though.. but i dont know how. i dont understand how i could do like..the pinching my nose RC in a dream, even if i know im dreaming i feel like i have no control. its crazy.