Am I lucid dreaming!?

Hi, I've been what seems to be 'lucid dreams' for about 2 years. I can't say I've ever really trained myself to do it, but I have always had a big interest in dreams, and share them (mainly with my sister as we both have crazy ass dreams! haha), which I think helps in itself. Though I do think to myself alot whether conscious or not... "Am I dreaming", which seems to be a big helper!

It's only recently I researched it online to see loads of other people are doing it! Which is awesome because most my friends just think I'm crazy haha.

But to get to the question... my first 'lucid dream' if that's what it was, was me walking down the road where I live at night, following a neighbour. As I walked down I thought to myself... what the hell am I doing!? I can't remember what twigged that thought, but I suddenly said out loud (in the dream hah).. "this is a dream isn't it", to the neighbor... he looked at me with a blank expression.. almost as if he was thinking 'ohh he's figured it out'. So being my first time realising I was dreaming, I was overwhelmed and excited... all I did was just like jump about laughing, thinking what I could do! Then it ended unfortunately... But that was a first of more to follow! Each time I had a new one, I'd try and do something better and make the most of it as much as possible.

Well anyway I'm impressed if you have read this far! But to help me clarify that this is actually lucid dreaming would be awesome. I have had some great experiences with what I think is lucid dreaming, from seeing my best friend who passed away a number of times, knowing I was dreaming, and that he was infact dead and in the dream he knew it himself... but chatting and doing what we always did... even if it isn't real it's still nice. Then there is dreaming of essence girls haha (I won't go into details! Call me a perv but I'm sure most guys would if the could! Haha), all in all it's a great experience, the feeling when something twigs to you that you are dreaming.

One other question is if I'm having a nightmare... and know it, but with all my strength can't wake the hell up! Is that classed as lucid dreaming? Considering I know I'm in a dream... I think once I've turned it round and made it good once or twice. I should really write them down! And from now I think I will! I've written a few of them which included my friend who's passed away... but they wouldn't make sense if you didn't know him hah.

Sorry didn't mean to write so much! I've never really talked to anyone else about them who also has them, so it's quite cool knowing that other people get them too!

Enjoying the forum and seeing other peoples experiences!

Thanks

A lucid dream is simply a dream where you realize your dreaming. So all of these experiences you've described are lucid dreams. Even if it's a nightmare that you have no control over, it's still called a lucid dream because you realized you were dreaming. If you learn to become a better lucid dreamer you can get better at dream control. Having a good level of dream control is where most of the fun in lucid dreaming comes from.

Your experiences are very much like other lucid dreamers around here. I think you'll like it here. :)

Welcome to DV!

Yes, the excitement when you realize you dreaming is a sure sign of lucid dream. You don't allways have control, but you may get better at it as you gain more experience. Check out some articles in DV Wiki about dream control, induction techniques and other cool stuff.

I'm glad you decided to start writing your dreams in a dream journal. It helps with recall and gives you a chance to read them later and find dreams signs or patterns in dreaming. Please post if you have any questions. Happy dreams:)