Having Trouble With Recalling Dreams

Hello again Dreamviews!
I started my first entry into my DJ on the 8th September (6 days ago) and since then I've had, shall we say, limited success. My first entry I remembered 5 dreams, varying in vividness. I was so stoked doing this but the next day I remembered not one dream, and since then only one day I've remembered a clear dream.
Sometimes I know I've dreamt some epic dream but have forgotten it but for about 3-4 of the mornings since I started nothing comes to me, despite the array of techniques I've tried/am using.
here's the techniques I'm using:
-Lay in bed for 5 minutes with my eyes closed and rewind the dream to remember as much as possible.
-Repeat the mantra 'I will remember my dreams' for about 10+ minutes until I fall asleep.
-Lay as still as possible before falling asleep.
-Drink loads of water to try and awake during a dream in the early morning.
-I tried the mantra 'I will awaken from my dreams and completely remember them' but decided not to use it anymore.
-I read my dream journal before bed every night.
-I'm not stressed and I get almost my 8 hours of sleep every night

I just wanna know if this is normal and if beginners regularly experience this or maybe I need to change tactics somehow? thanks for the help! :cheeky:

Well you did say you started your DJ 6 days ago; that's pretty new. And yes it's normal for beginners, unless you have the natural ability to recall dreams without effort. I'm 100% positive experienced dreamers in this forum who have been practicing lucid dreaming might also have problems recalling dreams at times. Don't worry too much about not remembering your dreams at the beginning of your dreaming journey.

Your techniques are fine as far as I know. Perhaps your mantra is not strong enough? I believe mantras are more successful if said with full confidence imbued in your body, not just rambling on and on without much heart.

Maybe you can try this technique I found here. Basically you write down your events in the day, no matter how mundane it is. It somewhat clears your mind before sleep and somehow make way for dreams.

Just take it slow, be patient, and results will come to you. I have problems recalling my dreams too, so you're not the only one. All the best!

One thing that I did that helped me when I was first starting to work on my recall, is even when I couldn't remember any images or anything at all, I'd just write down how I felt upon waking. Maybe I felt like I was just about to accomplish something, or did accomplish something. Sometimes it was fear, perhaps I was being chased, etc. Just getting yourself in this habit will eventually allow you to recall your dreams wonderfully.

Do not stress yourself out about it. This is one of the most important things (in my belief) in relation to dreams/lucid dreaming. Stressing out about remembering your dreams, having the ability to lucid dream, etc. can lead to being unable to do it at all.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll succeed :)