Dream Journal During the Night or in the Morning?

[ThusSpokeJake]

I frequently remember my dreams if I wake up in the middle of the night. In fact, I have distinct memories the next morning of thinking, "Wow, that was a crazy dream, I can't wait to write it down in the morning." Of course, once morning rolls around, I can't remember the dream! Do most of you write down your dreams as soon as you wake up, regardless of the time, or do you wait until morning to make an entry in your dream journals?

[John11]

Welcome to DV ThusSpokeJake! I try to make myself get up and write them down whenever I get up. Still, on occasion I'm too lazy and wait till morning. You can definitely remember a lot more dreams if you make sure you get up and write them down after each one. I try to make sure I get up and write (or record with a microphone) my entire dream whenever I wake up. Sometimes when I wake up the next day I won't even remember what I had written/recorded until I go back and read/listen to it. If you don't feel like getting up to record the whole dream, you can just make some quick notes and hope that will cause you to remember most of it in the morning. One other thing I've noticed is that if I get up and write down my dreams, I'll be aware enough of them that sometimes they start up again later in the night and I'll realize I'm dreaming because of it.

[Robot_Butler]

I try to write them down every time I wake up during the night. Of course, I get lazy sometimes and can't bring myself to grab that flashlight. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember any dreams in the morning. Especially if my alarm doesn't wake me directly from a dream.

[Shift]

When I used to be good about DJing, I would write them down as soon as I woke up. But this was over the summer, when I could afford to do it (I sometimes have trouble falling asleep if I get up like that). School nights I would wait til morning, just write down the ones in the morning (usually I can recall earlier ones too). What you can do is wake up, lay there thinking about the dream, run through it, pick out some key points to remember, then go back to sleep. I'm sure you forget some dreams, but when you have to compromise it's a good way to go.

[ninja9578]

I just jot down a few notes in the middle of the night and then fill in the details when I wake up for good in the morning.

[Hukif]

I generally write in my journal (here) around 8-12 hours after waking <.<

[Snowy Egypt]

If I remember to write (or in my case, type) my dreams down, I do it in the morning when the vivid dreams come.

[seeker28]

For the best recall I write short notes in a little notebook when I wake up during the night. I don't even open my eyes. I just scribble a few words per page. When I get up these short notes are usually enough to help me remember my dreams.

[moonshine]

I went through a period of having False Awakenings and then dreaming about filling in my note book. Then waking up. Doh!

[eppy]

When I do write down my dreams, I usually do it in the morning when I wake up. I also try to write as many details as I can.

[seeker28]

I went through a period of having False Awakenings and then dreaming about filling in my note book. Then waking up. Doh! This has happened to me too! Gah! I hate to wake up and discover that my dream notes are empty!