Thread: Dream Recall Question

Originally Posted by bobthemonkey

Hi there,
About a week ago I started trying to build up by dream recall. I tried self-hypnosis and mnemeomics while i was falling asleep.
Either one or both of these worked and I remembered at first one and then by my third day, four dreams in a night. Dutifully I wrote them all down in my dream journal. Then last night and the night before I didn't have the energy to concentrate on remembering to wake up and write down my dreams while I fell asleep and so in the morning I woke up at my normal time and remembered nothing.
My question is: as I continue to work on my dream recall, will it start to happen without having to spend half an hour thinking about remembering before I sleep or do I have to do that every time?

Thanks in advance.

From my observations. Dream recall varies a lot. Its all about dedication and motivation.

Well. If I were you, i would observe your own deeds, you do often and would try to find out, why they are so easy to do. You would surely find out, that they must simplify your life to be accepted as habits, and that they have to be somehow pleasant and convinient. The goal is to make recalling pleasant and convenient.

Just sit down and write down the reasons why you would like to improve your recall, write them all down and make yourself feel good about it.
Also write the difficulties of recalling and acknowledge them.

Let me know.

Like Adraw said, it varies a lot.

I had trouble for a whole week, remembering my dreams but not writing them down. In the morning I felt bad for not doing so.
I started to ask myself; why do I not write them down, and found out that a lot of it had to do with how much you want it. Self suggestion works very well, like you have been doing. Make sure there's a light switch close to your bed, make your dream journal look pretty (Sounds weird but it helps me for sure), keep everything organized and most of all: write down some things before you go to bed. Like at what time you go to sleep, how you feel, what time you plan to wake up (and what I do is writing down what kind of vitamins I had that day or food that contains vitamins that help you to improve dream recall/dreaming).

If you do this, in my case, it acknowledges my mind it has a task to do when I wake up at night, it kind of..prepares me for it. You could try it for sure

Feist

Hi and welcome to Dream Views.

Usually one gets to a point where recalling and recording dreams becomes second nature. But that only happens if you really put some effort into it in the beginning.

And dream recall can fluctuate, depending on factors like emotional state, what you eat, drink, etc.

Just keep recalling and recording and you will be rewarded for your efforts eventually.

Thanks for the advice.

Quick update: I had two particuarly bizzare dreams last night. It seems that I recall better on the mornings that I have to get up early for school.

Well, for me I cannot usually remember any dreams after a full amount of sleep sadly... However I have no problem recalling several dreams after 5 hours, or so. I suggest like anyone would, waking up after a short time to record your dreams.