Miserable First Attempt... help?

So last night I tried for my first LD.... it went horrible. I figured 10:30 was a good time to go to bed so I climb into bed and mentally I keep saying: "I will remember all of my dreams and I will wake up after them." Meanwhile, I set my alarm for 3:00AM because I was going to attempt a WILD.

I slowly doze off, have a slight dream that I barely recall because I didn't write it down, and I ended up waking up at 12:30. My first thoughts are: "Hey, I went through one sleep cycle and I woke myself up. That's a good sign because my brain is paying attention to what I want it to do."

When I kept trying to go back to sleep, I tried to continue saying the same mental message as I did originally, because I only wanted to try the lucid at 3:00. When the clock struck 2:00AM I figured what the hell, I'm not getting any sleep anyway. I repeated in my head: "I will have a lucid dream, I will remember it, I will look for my signs, etc."

I remember having two more dreams, but each were fairly short. I was nowhere near lucidity. I woke up 15 minutes ago, and now I'm frustrated as hell. Anyone spot anything wrong with my "attempt"?

Welcome to DV! :)

There was nothing wrong with your attempt itself, though I would have started differently. Not to worry, different techniques work for different people.

Please keep in mind that most people don't have success on their first attempt, no matter what technique they use. Patience and persistence is required for success. Some take longer than others to have their first lucid dream, so it's impossible to say when you will have result.

My best advice for you right now is to start keeping a dream journal. It's possible the best tool towards lucidity, and surely for dream recall, which is important.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions! :)

What method would you suggest for starting out? Like what one did you use?

I'm a natural lucid dreamer, I didn't use any techniques.

I suggest the approach described in the quick start tutorial, link here: http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...ead.php?t=1518

Wow you're a natural can I have your autograph?

Even when you're a natural there must be some ritual/thinking method you go through. You must do something. Tell us what you do and we'll become naturals too :D

Sorry... but I don't do anything. I still have them.

*Starts writing autograph* Who do you want it dedicated to? :P

Welcome to Dream Views, beefnormous

Don't get frustrated yet. It sounds like you're on the right track. Remember, when you first start out, your're just trying to get familiar with your sleep schedule, your dreams, and the idea of changing your awareness. It takes some time to form new habits.

I usually have lucid dreams without really focusing on having them, but when I want to be sure I have one, I make it a habit to check throughout the day as to whether I am dreaming or awake (usually combined with looking at my hands for a few seconds) - you get in the habit pretty quick and then you'll start doing the check when you are dreaming, too. I've also read that it helps some people to read a chapter or so from a book about lucid dreaming before they go to sleep - maybe it sends their mind in 'LD motion', like how a movie can affect your dreams:popcorn:. Stick with it and don't be so hard on yourself - you're doing fine.