Newbie with some questions

So the last couple of days I've been reading up on lucid dreaming (I read all the tutorials) and trying to have one. I just have a few questions.

Is a dream journal really necessary? I know it's supposed to help with dream recall and dream signs, but I'm not sure if these couple of benefits are worth the hassle. I already have pretty good recall (I usually remember 1 dream per night accurately). And I don't see why recognizing a couple of your personal dream signs would be that useful.

What method would you recommend to a beginner? It seems like simple reality checks are usually recommended for beginners, but I've seen some people say that they've been doing reality checks for months without a LD. It seems like WILD would be the best method if possible because you're basically guaranteed to have a LD if done right. But how hard is this method and can beginners do it?

It really is extremely helpful. I'd recommend being able to recall five dreams per night if possible, and the dream signs make lucid dreaming infinitely easier. I understand it's hard though, I'm slacking atm. Whenever I stop I stop having lucid dreams, too :(

Either way, welcome to DV :) I highly recommend DILD for those new to lucid dreaming, which you can still do.

You definitely need a dream journal, it's the only way for you to become familiar with your state of consciousness in dreams. Once you get a big collection of dreams in your journal, you can make a catalog of dream signs and start looking for things in your waking reality that remind you of your dream signs. Then the next step is to do reality checks every time you notice a dream sign or when something seems odd or dreamlike.

More than anything else you just have to pay attention to your state of consciousness all the time, and eventually you'll begin noticing when you're dreaming from inside the dream.

Though dream journals are optional, it sure would help to have one. Even if you do have decent recall, it would be better to have great recall.

Recognizing dream signs are definitely useful. It majorly increases your chance at becoming lucid in a dream.

I wouldn't recommend WILD for beginners, I would probably stick w/ the reality checks and do DEILDs for now. But if you don't like them, maybe try MILD.

Welcome ^.^