New Dreamer with some Questions

Hey DV community,
This is my first post after recently discovering the forum, and it seems like a wonderful resource! Ive been writing down my dreams on and off for years, and started doing so specifically for lucid dreaming in August after reading "Exploring the world of Lucid Dreaming." I've had a few lucid dreams since then but progress is slow and kindof discouraging. I recently strarting trying the MILD induction technique, and have some questions.

1. While practicing MILD, do any of you find that repeating a mantra or visualizing yourself becoming lucid in a dream keeps you awake? How do you deal with it? It took me about 3 hours to fall asleep last night, and after waking up and recording a dream, I tried to get back to sleep but couldn't. Lucid dreaming is also pretty cool so I think I'm having the "I want to sleep therefore I can't" problem.

2. Do you keep doing reality checks during the day if you are using MILD? How often? Ive been reading some posts that you should do it regularly, others that you should do it only when you encounter a dreamlike situation, and others that its a general awareness and not reality checking that is important.

3. In one of the DV tutorials, it mentioned the pros and cons of MILD and WILD. One of the pros of MILD was that you don't have to wake up and lose sleep making it great for students and jobs..very appealing..I've also been reading that its best to WBTB for all techniques, if not necessary for many people. Should I just skip right to WILD if I need to wake up in the middle of the night anyway?

Sorry if that's a longish few questions, all comments will be much appreciated.

McDreamy

1) Yeah sometimes visualizing keeps me awake. Try meditating first in your bed and get really relaxed. When you are almost on the point of sleep try visualizing.

2) Reality Checks will only increase your chance of becoming lucid. No matter which times you choose to reality check remeber to pay attention to the RC. Doing it mindlessly will only hurt you.

3) Each technique is different, and has different times that work best. MILD is better than WILD at certain times. And it is not a requirement to wake up in the night.

Welcome to the forums, is there any snow up where you live right now?

Welcome to DV Brothah-man.

1.) I agree with Zebrah. Meditation is good for the mind. Meditate for 10-30 minutes just before bed, using your mantra as a focus. It'll get the mantra ingrained in your head, and get your mind ready for bed. As you fall asleep, however, remember the mantra every now and then, but try to not to dwell on it if it keeps you awake. If you decide to try DEILD or WILD's later on, the techniques for meditating will greatly help you.

2.) You don't HAVE to. But they will definitely help. The more techniques you use, the more likely you will become lucid-- but don't over do it! Try to do an RC anytime a new event occurs, or there's a big change in scenery, or something odd happens, etc. And focus on it! The habit will carry over into your dreams and you'll become lucid.

3.) As far as WILD goes...just starting out, give it a few tries (Always after waking up in the early morning though! Not before bed/during the day) and see if it works for you. If it doesn't, don't get hung up on it, DILD/MILD works wonderfully as well. Also, WBTB can be combined with just about anything. If you can wake up for 5-15 minutes or so, even that little bit will help.

Good luck!