Dream Recall Question

[Foobly]

Hey, so since I have started writing down my dreams in the morning I have started to remember having a lot more dreams, but my memories are not very specific, it's like a memory from five years ago. How specific should I get my dream memory before I should attempt WILD or similar techniques?

[Shift]

I don't think that there should be any waiting period, someone learning lucid dreaming should begin reality checking the moment they finish learning what reality checking is Ideally you'll want to keep building up your recall, but there's always the chance that you will have and will recall a lucid dream, and there's no reason to put off learning how to reality check properly. As a beginner, a WILD may be a difficult approach to learning to lucid dream. It probably depends on your own natural affinity for the technique, how much time you have to lay awake and WBTB, and luck. If you've never had a lucid dream before, it's also got to be difficult not knowing exactly what to expect. Relying on reality checks will open up those opportunities to become lucid without having to devote large periods of time to disrupting your sleep schedule, and chances are you'll wake up so excited from your first induced lucid dream that you won't have trouble recalling it So I'd say, go ahead and start reality checking now! As soon as you're able to, you should be able to find your dream signs. Regarding WILDs, do what you feel comfortable with. I would definitely make sure to do a lot of research on WILDs and try to find some tutorials and advice before devoting large quantities of time to it. Most important to realize when it comes to WILDs is that for some it can be difficult and, if you do have trouble, not to become demoralized because of that. Reality checking on the other hand is a very exciting process by itself, since every time you do them it should be because you think you might be dreaming.

[Foobly]

Ok, thanks Shift. Another thing, If I have identified my common dream signs (for me it seems to be either driving a car with a lot of people or quitting my job) should my reality checks be related to those in some way, and if so, how?

[Shift]

They absolutely should. EVERY single time that you think of, see, or find yourself in or doing a dream sign, you should do a few reality checks to see if you're dreaming. For example, with the car you could reality check every single time you see a car. Obviously, this could happen quite a lot. But by the end of the day, you will have basically taught yourself that, when you are around cars, you should be highly critical and aware of everything going on around you and keeping an eye out for anything that might be strange or indicate that it's actually a dream. You could also be doing them when you find yourself around these friends, think of them, see pictures of them, hear other people with their names, or even when you find yourself in charge or responsible for groups of people. You basically want to cultivate overall awareness and paranoia that you might be dreaming (personally when I RC I...)

[Foobly]

Ok, thanks a lot for the advice. I'll start reality checking the hell out of every car I see, then.

[Electro_Dreamer]

I'd add another thing for reality checking. Just try to find the pecualiar things around you. Something that just doesn't fit in the whole situation. Try to explain thoroughly why it is that way. That's a right approach to reality cheking I believe.