Too Short Of Lucids

I have had about 4 lucids (3 dilds and 1 fild) which all last less than 2 seconds when i first realize. This usually happens when i am just falling asleep... anyone think that they can help me to have longer ones?

Well, I'm no pro, but I had the same problem when I first started LD'ing.

The biggest tip I can give you is to not get over excited. I know that is easier said than done, but that will be the biggest help. When you realize you are dreaming, acknowledge it, and let it go. Start rubbing your hands together to help you keep lucid. When you first become lucid, don't try to go running all over and doing a lot of things. I find if you stand still in once place and just keep rubbing your hands together, while looking around you and try to look at all the detail in the things around you, you are better able to stay lucid for longer.

I'm sure others have some great tips also, but that is what has helped me.

I can't really add anything to what gibbsman already said, he's right. As soon as we realize we're lucid, excitement can be our worst enemy.

The only other thing that I know is worth mentioning, is when you try the hand rubbing, also LOOK at your hands. Sometimes that's enough to keep you focused and lock you into the dream.

I know it's a frustrating hurdle, getting past those first few seconds of lucidity. But it IS a good start, so don't give up.

Out of curiosity, what is it that alerts you that you're lucid usually? I mean, you said you had 3 short DILDs, was there a recurring element that signaled to you that you were actually dreaming? Just wondering.

The first one i had on the very first night i heard about lucid dreaming, I was playing a video game. The second one involved pushing a person i know into a drawer and shutting it. The 3rd one was on the same night as the 2nd one which i was playing piano scales. the fourth one was a FILD in which i dreamed about plugging my nose. I did however have some lucid dreams before i even knew what they were called. The first one i can ever remember was when i was seven. There was a big green monster comming toward me and i told myself that i was dreaming and that i should wake up so he didnt eat me...

Thats just about all...

yep, Ophelia and gibbsman have got it right...

When you realise you are lucid, just treat it like you would be if you were walking down the street. Sort of relaxed, but 'aware' if that makes any sense.

One question. Do you have a dream journal? If you do, go back through it and see if there are any recurring elements, that you could use to realise you are lucid.
Maybe if you have one 'sign' you'll realise and maybe not get so excited?
Just throwing a suggestion out there.

I do have a Journal but I havent had a chance to look over it so find similar elements

i'm assuming this happens from excitement. the only advice i have to you is, once your in a LD, before you do anything try to calm yourself down. if you can do that, your home free.

my first LD was about 5 minutes long because right when i realized i was dreaming, i made sure i was calm before i did anything else (it was a DILD). i actually felt dizzy for a while, like i was going to wake up, but i shouted "increase lucidity" which, oddly enough, worked. :/

Just wait a wile.... and you get ova the excitement of it being new... and it wont go away so qwick.

Sometimes becoming Lucid feels like winning the lotto - its kinda hard to stay calm!

But I think there's some really good advice in the posts above. For myself, I've achieved good Lucidity by taking a deep breath, looking slowly around at the environment and saying out loud: "I am dreaming and this is my dream". :)

looking at your hands works real well. also why not try auto suggestion? try saying somthing like " I will stay calm and look at my hands when i lucid dream" over and over before u go to bed.
good luck :)


hey does anyone know why i cant update my avatar with a gif? the error says its too big but that cant be cause it only took me like 10 min to make

Before i heard of lucid dreaming i used to realise of dreaming alot, my only problem was exactly this. I got excited before i could do anything.

Rubbing your hands together sounds like a good idea to stay in then mabye say a command verbaly like "I am in control!"

I am yet to fully experience a LD but im sure it will be good when i do :content:

Although i have had a few LDs i dont quite have any control... It seems that when i realize the first thing i do is wake up... I did however say "increase lucidity" and that made it clearer for one second then it started to get fuzzy so i did it again and the process continued... until i woke up :blue: