New and intruiged

Hi all!
I'm new here and my names Jadyn.
I've been lurking this site for quite a while and I've finally decided to join. Now I've got a few things to say.
First of all, congratulations to whoever made this site (I missed that part) because this site is really cool and helpful.
Secondly, I've got a query. Now as I said before I've been lurking this site for quite a while, and have just been getting as much information as I could.
Now I've been gradually been trying to get a better dream recall, but I don't really have time to make a dream journal after my dreams, but is it ok if I just try to remember the gist of them in my head? Or do I physically need to write them down?
Also as I mentioned I have been reading all about the techniques and ways to get lucid, and the other night I was lying in bed unable to get to sleep as I had, had a caffeine drink earlier in the day - a 'V' if you must know- and as I lay I decided to try something. I pretty much tried the WILD induction method and lay there counting my breaths. Random thoughts kept coming into my head but I managed to get rid of them, Now I don't know when it happened but I seemed to lose all track of time and things seemed to go by real fast the I felt awake, and I was aware of myself again. All of a sudden my body felt like it was vibrating or twitching, and Images sped through my mind, they looked like shots from the t.v show Lost.
I suddenly thought is this sleep paralysis? I didn't dare trying to move just in case. Then the images started to fade and the 'Vibrations' started to slow, panicking I focused on the images and jumping into them. But unfortunately it didn't work, and they faded and I was back in my bed, I did a reality check just in case but I was awake. Firstly was that SP? And secondly I thought you only dreamed/could get lucid in the later R.E.M stages of your sleep? So what happened to me? Or was that the reason I failed?
Thanks for all your replies before I even read them as I know they will all be helpful. :)

Hello and welcome to DV! I'm a new member too but not new to LDs. :) You didn't have a SP because you could move (at least soon after the experience). That sounded like a normal start of a WILD: you saw hypnologic images. The vibrations are also a common part of WILD techique, don't worry.
I'm not sure about that recalling thing. I think it'd be best to write at least short descriptions of your dreams for example in a blog (if you don't like writing on paper).

Welcome to the forum!

You started to have HI which are the symptoms that come with SP, the whole vibrations and hallucinations ect.

Although it is possible to have lucids straight away when you sleep, it is incredibly hard to do and you will most likely be unsuccessful. You need a few hours sleep really. Try to do a WBTB and have like 5 hours sleep first.

Hope this helps!

Hello and welcome to Dream Views.

It is usually recommended that one keep a dream journal, but if you feel that your recall is decent without journaling then keep on doing what's working for you.

On the subject of journals, you don't have to write one out. You could dictate your dreams into a recorder or even make quick sketches of your dreams (something I've been meaning to try but haven't yet). When you get some free time you could also take a particularly interesting dream and make a painting, music, play, short story, poem, anything really.

Paying attention to, recording or creating based on your dreams are other ways to bring dreaming to the forefront of your mind.

About the WILD without hours of sleep first, it's possible.
I've had WILDs during naps. I think day nap WILDs are easier than night WILDs.
Others have had WILDs before core sleep. I have an personally I didn't like them. They were very short and low control/vividity.

Welcome, Sumthingerava.

I'm glad that you've come out of lurking and have decided to join.

Good job on giving a WiLD a try. The others have given good advice here.

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and I was back in my bed, I did a reality check just in case but I was awake.

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That was a really good thing to try. Good job. So many people miss out an a chance to be lucid becasue they think they woken up, but are still in the dream. Keep this habit up.

Hi guys thanks for all your replies.
Thanks to your advice I've decided that I am just going to have to find time to make a dream journal and fill out as much as I can, even if its only the main key points after the dream, and then I just flesh it out when I have time.
On the Almost SP, I've gathered having LD's straight away when you go to bed aren't easy or preductive and tend to just waste time?
Oh well thanks again.