New Member; First Post

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but I'm glad I found it. I've had an off and on interest in lucid dreams since childhood, though now it is stronger than ever.

As a young child I used to lucid dream on a regular basis, I thought it was something everyone did. I remember I could wake myself up at will by closing my eyes and squeezing my fists really tight, though in retrospect I think that worked because I believed it would.

I think I got a little egotistical about the ability as a kid and I remember trying to wake myself up and I kept on having false awakenings in what seemed to be my house, but small things were different and there was a negative vibe.

After that experience I stopped having regular lucid dreams. Throughout the years I would have occasional ones. My interest would come and go because I never worked hard enough to develop the skill that used to come without effort.

I've also had a handful of terrifying sleep paralysis experiences, as well as the sensation of falling and being able to see through my eye lids.

A week ago today my beloved cat Molly passed away and it has ignited a drive in me to lucid dream again so that I can hold her once again. Regardless if it is her or a part of my sub conscious, I believe it is at least a part of her that lives in my heart.

I ordered a handmade "Cat and mouse" design Dreamcatcher off ebay. I don't necessarily believe they hold some power, but I am adding some of her fur I kept to it and I believe seeing it will help me associate dreaming with her.

I had what was either a WILD or OBE the other night. I was laying in bed with my laptop beside me playing a LaBerge interview off Coast to Coast in the background.

I lay there with my eyes close and my mind seems to transition I feel myself leaving my room in the basement and floating down from the ceiling into my living room. I am fully conscious and aware that I am dreaming. However everything is kind of dark and dusty looking. I her noises but can't make them out. It also feels like my cat is by my feet but I can't see her. I got a little scared and wanted to wake up. I then felt myself floating back up and then I awoke.

I've created a dream journal, but I have to get into the habit of using it. I wake up with just fragments and think its not worth recording, but then regret not doing so. I've been doing regular reality checks though. I also smoke pot regularly, so I know I'm going to have to cut back to increase my REM sleep.

Anyway, I'm very glad to be here and look forward to sharing.

Welcome to the forums. I'm sorry to hear about your cat.

As far as keeping a dream journal goes you should write everything you recall down. Even if it is just a 3 second dream.

I hope you have success being with your cat again.

Welcome to DV! I've met my family's old dead dog twice. It felt awesome to hug him again, and even if it's just a dream, it sure was amazing :)

Like Zebrah said, try to increase your recall by writing in your Dream Journal as often as you can, and also try not smoking for a week or so, will probably make you dream more. Better recall with strong intentions is enough to get you lucid, but check out the other techniques that are out there if you haven't. I personally love WBTB.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck!