Keep having problems trying to nap

Over the past couple days, I have tried to nap, partly because I wanted to improve my dream recall, but also because I was genuinely tired. I'm having trouble sleeping sometimes, and basically I have a sequence of events, usually imagined or past events, and I sometimes feel myself shifting into sleep, and I'll seem caught in the stories of my thoughts, but i still feel awake, like i can just spring out of bed and move my hand if I want to, so I'm pretty sure it's not even dreaming. Does this happen to people who start trying to improve dream recall? That is, the very excitement of getting lucid dreams or remembering dreams, however one can try to diminish it, keeps people awake?

Yep, it happens. Quite a lot, at least for me. Maybe writing things down will help a little bit? That way you can get some of the thoughts out of your mind so you can get back to sleep, but still have them recorded in case you want to refer back later. Getting too excited about things definitely keeps you awake, even if it's excitement over being asleep, hehe. I try to relax enough to fall asleep while still keeping my mind calm and focused instead of getting distracted and following every random thought, that's the biggest thing that kept me awake. Way easier said than done though, I know, but I did find the alphabet thing from Clairity's tutorial really helpful.

Welcome to the forum!

Well the main way to help your recall is with a dream journal, which is when you record the dreams you have had by writing them down the next morning or after you wake up.

A good way to help you get to sleep is by completely relaxing your body through stretching each muscle starting from you toes and working your way up to the head. Also drinking herbal tea helps too!