Transforming in my lucid dreams, first step into the community

[FrostFox]

Hello fellow dreamers, I'd like to start off by saying I'm new to the community, but I have had lucid dreams since my teen years and have been fascinated by them. Ever since my childhood, I have had a close connection towards animals, often imagining and dreaming about what it'd be like to be one myself and even how it'd feel like to change into one. At a certain point in time, my dreams of this turned to what I called "know-dreams" (it's how I named lucid dreams at the time). I was fascinated by them and loved it on the uncommon occasion I managed to get one. I usually turned my hands into claws (I loved dinosaurs when I was younger) and made myself grow to the size of my room and such, haha. I was quite the dreamer - and still am, albeit much more controlled! It has become a deep fantasy (not an obsession!) of mine to be able to feel what it'd feel like to transform like that. In lucid dreams, I try to "live out" these imaginings, with success, albeit very short ones. I find being able to feel a tail, run around on paws and to fly on wings, to be extremely relaxing and fulfilling, usually causing me to wake up well-rested afterwards. Over the last few years though, it has been getting harder for me to enter the dream state consciously at night. During afternoon naps, it seems much easier. I'm not sure if this is because of my mind being preoccupied with daily troubles more, or needing better and more consistent rest, or both, or something else entirely. I've been talking to a close friend of mine (also interested in all these things) about it for the longest time and was pointed towards Dreamviews. I've been hesitant to start posting here, as I'd been quite shy about my fantasies towards the general public. I figured it'd be a good time to start opening up more. Hope this has sketched a clear enough image! ~Frost

[Richter]

Hello fellow dreamers, I'd like to start off by saying I'm new to the community, but I have had lucid dreams since my teen years and have been fascinated by them. Ever since my childhood, I have had a close connection towards animals, often imagining and dreaming about what it'd be like to be one myself and even how it'd feel like to change into one. At a certain point in time, my dreams of this turned to what I called "know-dreams" (it's how I named lucid dreams at the time). I was fascinated by them and loved it on the uncommon occasion I managed to get one. I usually turned my hands into claws (I loved dinosaurs when I was younger) and made myself grow to the size of my room and such, haha. I was quite the dreamer - and still am, albeit much more controlled! It has become a deep fantasy (not an obsession!) of mine to be able to feel what it'd feel like to transform like that. In lucid dreams, I try to "live out" these imaginings, with success, albeit very short ones. I find being able to feel a tail, run around on paws and to fly on wings, to be extremely relaxing and fulfilling, usually causing me to wake up well-rested afterwards. Over the last few years though, it has been getting harder for me to enter the dream state consciously at night. During afternoon naps, it seems much easier. I'm not sure if this is because of my mind being preoccupied with daily troubles more, or needing better and more consistent rest, or both, or something else entirely. I've been talking to a close friend of mine (also interested in all these things) about it for the longest time and was pointed towards Dreamviews. I've been hesitant to start posting here, as I'd been quite shy about my fantasies towards the general public. I figured it'd be a good time to start opening up more. Hope this has sketched a clear enough image! ~Frost You have indeed sketched quite a clear image in my head, as I've had much of the same desires and dreams myself, so much so it's amazing! Truly can relate so much~ In fact, don't I know you from somewhere? You seem familiar, just can't quite recall Either way, I find it awesome you've had some experience with lucid dreaming since you were really young. Calling them "know dreams" made me smile. ^^ These are definitely some great motivations to dream; transformation has got to be one of the most intense, mind blowing experiences one can experience in a lucid; it affects so many senses! So it sounds like you're doing a variation on WILD, entering the dream state directly when you sleep, which is great if you can do because it's so difficult, yet so rewarding. A close friend of mine has been talking to me about dreams as well, and he pointed out that stress and worry can absolutely -kill- your chances, so if anything that's where your difficulties might lie, like you said. It's the same with me honestly, haven't been able to focus properly due to all the worry. Afternoon naps do indeed help though. This is just a theory, but naps tend to be spontaneous and include less worry because you're trying to "get away" from your day and the worries associated. Could be wrong. But it's awesome to see a fellow dreamer that dreams he's other things c: I wish you good luck, and I think you'll be welcomed here completely! You're very well written, which I can't compliment you enough on. It's one reason I wanted to reply to you! ^^ So I hope to see you around more, maybe start a dream journal here? In fact I should do the same~

[FrostFox]

Thank you for the kind reply, Richter! Will certainly give that dream journal a try.

[paigeyemps]

Welcome Frost. I agree, definitely start off with a dream journal. Not only does it make you remember even more dreams, but it helps you get in touch better with your dream self or dream world. It can be quite rewarding just being able to recount adventures spawned by your own mind while sleeping. Please, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Oh and check out:Welcome Cheers!

[FrostFox]

Thanks, Paige! I do already keep a dream journal, but not very structurally. I usually remember my dreams until days later, the most interesting ones sticking for months. Writing down every dream helps remembering them for even later though; I should really be more consistent, haha. I've nearly managed to induce a lucid dream while falling asleep yesterday, by the way, but snapped back to reality. Is there any way to prevent that from happening, besides relaxing?

[paigeyemps]

Thanks, Paige! I do already keep a dream journal, but not very structurally. I usually remember my dreams until days later, the most interesting ones sticking for months. Writing down every dream helps remembering them for even later though; I should really be more consistent, haha. I've nearly managed to induce a lucid dream while falling asleep yesterday, by the way, but snapped back to reality. Is there any way to prevent that from happening, besides relaxing? Not only does it help you improve you recall, your dream journal is also very helpful for motivation. You can look back on past dreams and lucids when you're having a dry spell, as well as use it to evaluate your attempts and be in better touch with your dream world. And I don't necessarily mean in a spiritual way, but mostly like in a way that you have a better understanding of how your dreams usually work. As for snapping back awake, pretty normal. You can try focusing on the dream and visualizing, to sort of pull you into the mental aspect more. Should you get snapped to reality, don't fret, just start over, maybe shift to a more comfortable position.