Thread: Having trouble getting started!

Hi guys and gals, I'm Azra - I wouldn't say I'm new to the forum as I've had an account here for quite a while, but I've been neglecting it for far too long. I'd like to get started on the path to lucid dreaming, but there are some things which make it impossible to get started. So I was hoping you guys could offer some advice.

I'm 22, I'm a final year university student this year, and I've been hovering around the forums for so long, that I know most of the theory regarding lucid dreams. Being able to have LDs almost at will is like a dream to me (badly worded lol) so I would really like to put in the effort to do this. The problem is time, motivation and sleeping hours.

I'm forever finding that there's too much in life to do, so I'm nearly always stressed. I am in a very important year study wise, I am an improving artist, I'm learning 3D animation in my spare time, and I am trying to keep fit and healthy. As well as all the socialising I need to keep on top of, which everyone needs. This is a big part of wanting to lucid dream, as it gives me more time which I always fear I have none of. But at the same time, by the time the end of the day comes, I have no motivation to do anything, same as when I wake up. Keeping a dream journal is incredibly difficult to keep on top of for me as well.

Which is kinda related to the other problem - my sleeping hours. Because I try to make the most of my day, my relaxing time is late in the evening. I usually end up going to bed gone midnight and getting about 6 hours sleep on the average term night. But I believe 7-8 hours is recommended to lucid dream properly. Is it possible for some people to overcome this and still be as sufficient as those who get 8+ hours a night?

Sorry for the long post. I am very keen to improve here, but its so difficult, I've only had a few and those were completely random, not while I've been trying to get them. If anything, trying works less often. I was going to join the DV academy a while back before it went down, so I'm at a loss on what to do. I fear that getting adopted would take a lot of time from my day, and I'd hate to quit on someone like I have done before, when I got overwhelmed by work.

I reckon my best bet would be a kind of dreaming buddy - someone at my level who is actively trying, which might actually motivate me to try as well. Someone to keep in touch with as a friend and not have to worry about disappointing if I fail. And maybe someone to share my dreams with. I'm not sure if this is common, but it sounds like a decent idea.

Thanks for reading. Any suggestions anyone? ^^

Azra~