For me, I don't really lucid dream by looking for unusual things and dream signs. (But I'm sure that's why I don't have more...)

Anyway, when I lucid dream I have just an overwhelming feeling like I can't be harmed here and It's a different world.

This doesn't make me realize though. You may have read another post of mine, but what happens is I have to remind myself out loud that I am dreaming.
However when I do this I almost always wake up. (It is a false awakening though)
Then I have another chance to remember what just happened to me, if that happens I will become lucid and I usually remain in my dream as long as I have a strong will to.
And I ALWAYS remember my dreams when they are lucid.