How can one determine if the dream is 'lucid'?

Let's say I had this dream, and it was from a first-person perspective. Everything 'I' did in this dream felt natural. But how do I determine if it was me actually controlling myself, or me simply watching the dream as if it was a movie or something? Is there even a definite answer?

Some of the reasons why I think it might not have been lucid:

-I don't remember 'thinking'. Just acting like I would in real life.
-I didn't spawn any textures or objects through my own will. I was in a random place with random people, some who I never would have wished to be there in a 'perfect dream'.

So, did I have any real control over this dream or not? The feeling I had from certain situations in this dream was the most vivid experience in any of my dreams that I can remember. But was it lucid? Maybe I'm stupid for asking, because I KNOW lucid dreaming is when you realize you're in a dream. I don't think I did, in mine. But in this kind of dream would I have the potential to figure it out and keep it going?

I don't dream often, at least not that I remember, so this is kind of exciting to me. :P

By the way, I just joined this forum a few minutes ago. Hi everyone.

Did you know you can control a dream and not even be lucid?

This happens to me quite a lot, I always feel I'm watching a movie in first person view. RCing (reality checks) helps you become lucid in these type of dreams, just reality check in randomly, tell yourself how you got there, did you see anything unusual, and count how many fingers you have or plug your nose and see if you can still breath.

To increase dream recall, you should get a Dream Journal. Oh and welcome to Dream Views.

For me, there is a definite unmistakable "aha!" moment when I realize I'm lucid and say "I'm dreaming!" But lucidity, vividness, and control can all vary. With practice, any one can develop these dream qualities to be stronger.

Welcome :)

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I don't remember 'thinking'. Just acting like I would in real life.

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Just from personal experience here... the vast majority of my lucids are recognized by me thinking. My favourite recognition is when absolutely nothing weird is happening, but I randomly just think to myself, "What are the chances of this being a dream right now?" completely unprovoked.

But, I did have this one LD where I wasn't really thinking a whole lot, just kind of going along with the plot, and very gradually awareness of the dream started creeping in. There was never an OH! moment. It was so gradual that when it finally fully sank in, I just walked away from the scene.

I actually had an LD last night! :) Short version: I noticed that a table that before was covered in various models of the Bugatti Veyron, was now models of rockets. So I asked myself and the 3 others that was in the room: "am I dreaming?" then I did the palm check and got the "AHA SWEET!" Then when I started to lose control, I totally forgot how to stabilize. It was really frustrating when I felt I was slipping away...

Didn't mean to hijack your thread. But I agree with Serenity. 3 out of 4 LD's I have had started out just like he said.

Awww, Vivid!! Nice catch on the models! :) Stabilizing can be as simple as reaching out and holding one of those models, rubbing your hands together, or even shouting "Clarity now!"

If all else fails, and I still lose the dream (it happens!), I usually try to DEILD back in. I would fully recommend this, actually. I usually have a false awakening after a lucid dream. DEILDing is extremely simple to do while one is still actually asleep :)

Well with my experience when your lucid YOU KNOW IT. everything is so vivid. And to actually be lucid you need to know its a dream, not just living like normal.

Hehe yeah Serenity it felt kind of cool noticing :) a little bit of detective work there!

I need to check into DEILD since im fairly new to this.

Side note: I had the most hilarous series of nightmares last night. I live in a house with 5 other students. I woke up about 3 times shouting "AAAH!" a couple of seconds after I awoke :p must have scared the poor neighbours..

If you want to work with DEILD and are having trouble shoot me a message. Im good a at DEILD