I hate when that happens!

[pacogato]

First I want to say ,hi, and introduce myself.My name is nate, and I am married and have 2 children.I used to smoke pot, but about 2 months ago, I quit. Afterwards, I started dreaming again, and now I am able to remember usually 2 per night, sometimes as many as 4. So I have started A dream journal. So far I have had moments, where I tell myself that I am dreaming, but I promptly wake up, leving me wondering if I wake up then tell myself I am dreaming, or if I tell myself I am dreaming, and cause myself to wake up. I feel that I realize it, and for some strange reason it awakens me. I want to stay sleeping, so I do not understand why my body would awaken at these moments. I am not fully lucid however because I have a tendency to tell my wife(in my dream of course) that I am having a lucid dream, when I should realize that she is only a character. One dream was a bad one, and when I realized I was dreaming, and she was still scared, I gave her a knife I was using to fend off these incredibly slow and weak monsters. Then I demonstrated control by throwing one into the other knocking them both to the ground.Next I awoke. Last night I dreampt that myself and my wife were trying to make-shift a lock on our cabin, which was exactly like a 2-room KOA cabin(which frequents my dreams). So with some wedges, we make this lock to help the strengthen the normal lock, and I run into the back room, to see if there is anything else to use. I realize that the windows are open, and as I am closing, and locking them, to keep whatever we are hiding from out, I realize that I am dreaming. I run into the front room, and just as I start telling my wife to relax, because we are having a lucid dream, I wake up! I find this rather disturbing because I want to continue, especially once I realize that I am merely dreaming. I wake up so quickly(except for the monster/knife dream) that I question if I wake up before or after I realize that I am dreaming. I believe it is right after I realize it. I don't know, funny thing though, 2 nights ago my kids were sick, and I did not dream once, however I woke up at the slightest little wimper. Weird huh?

[TygrHawk]

Hiya Nate, and welcome to DreamViews! Originally posted by pacogato+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pacogato)</div> I used to smoke pot, but about 2 months ago, I quit. Afterwards, I started dreaming again, and now I am able to remember usually 2 per night, sometimes as many as 4. So I have started A dream journal.[/b] Excellent start! Gold stars for you. <!--QuoteBegin-pacogato So far I have had moments, where I tell myself that I am dreaming, but I promptly wake up, leving me wondering if I wake up then tell myself I am dreaming, or if I tell myself I am dreaming, and cause myself to wake up. I feel that I realize it, and for some strange reason it awakens me. This is not uncommon. It seems to be a natural tendency for one to wake up once they realize they are dreaming, particularly if they get a little excited about it. The next time you realize (or even suspect) that you are dreaming, just stop whatever you're doing, take a deep breath, and look around. Try to become as "in contact" with the dream world as you can. Touch things, taste things, rub your hands together and feel the sensation -- just try to completely immerse yourself in the dream scene before attempting (or even thinking about) anything else. It may take a lot of practice before you learn to stop yourself from waking up immediately, but you can do it. Originally posted by pacogato I don't know, funny thing though, 2 nights ago my kids were sick, and I did not dream once, however I woke up at the slightest little wimper. Weird huh? No, not weird at all, IMO. If you're kids were sick, I'm sure that was your primary concern, and that kind of stress (even if it's not really bad), can kill your dream recall (you probably did actually have some dreams, you just didn't remember them). Also, I know what it's like to be a light sleeper, and that kind of sleep is not conducive to recalling your dreams (at least for me), so that doesn't surprise me in the least.

[nesgirl119]

Hey there and welcome to the forum! Good work on quitting the pot, because it totally can hinder Dream Recall. And like Tygrhawk said, it is common to wake up surprised after realizing your dreaming. The best thing to do is to calm down, and think of what you could do during that time!! Stressing can cause you to have strange dreams that you cannot control at all and hinder recall, and may cause you to star wimpering or shivering as well. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

[Gwendolyn]

Welcome to the forum, pacogato. I hope you find more success while your here. There are a lot of drugs which hinder dream recall. Pot is one of those drugs. Alcohol will really do that too as well as stress as Tygr said already. You have an excellent start. Check out out some of our tutorials. They might help you.

[Delinquent]

I think its funny everyone congratulated u on quiting pot merely on the basis that it will help dream recall lol. Congrats on quiting dude, on the basis of the health benefits especially since u have kids im sure u will want to always be there for them and be a role model. And im sure u will save a pretty penny now too! Question have u always been a lucid dreamer and its just now coming back? or have u been practicing at it since u quit?

[pacogato]

I remember when I was younger before I started smoking pot, that I used to realize quite frequently that I was dreaming. Most of the time it is during a bad dream, actually so far every time, it has been during an at least unpleasant dream. But almost every time I have a bad dream, I realize that I am dreaming. I imagine that I do it during good dreams too, but just never promptly wake up and don't remember. Thank-you to everyone for congratulating me on stopping the pot, it really means a lot to me, because I feel like I lost touch with the crowd when I quit. I don't have desire to smoke, and I am truly grateful to be past it! Again I want to recognize Gwendolyn for the warm wonderful welcome she gave me, I truly feel at home here. before I found this site, I thought I was just weird. LOL. Thanks again people![/quote]