Semi-Lucidity, An unusual experience

Recently, rather than become fully lucid I've been achieving a state of partial awareness where I'd realize I was dreaming, but wouldn't allow myself to take control of the dream. I've found myself enjoying this the most... my dreams seem to have a certain quality about them that's lost when I become fully lucid. In this way I'm able to influence my dreams just slightly and still preserve the wonder and sensations that come native those dreams.

Yesterday I became semi-lucid and had one of the longest dreams I've ever experienced. The contents of the dream aren't worth sharing, just some interactions with friends and family, a lot of driving, just a simulation of a typical day. What stood out was the length of the dream and how I was able to think as if I stood apart from the dream itself.

It was almost like I was watching a movie that I could feel and influence. It didn't feel like I was part of the dream, just a passive observer. I even found myself analyzing my dream, it was a pretty amazing experience.

Whenever I close my eyes while dreaming I wake up. This always happens and has been one of my biggest obstacles staying asleep while being lucid. I know when I'm about to wake up because my eyes begin to burn to where I need to close them and when I open them I'm back in bed.

Yesterday was the first time I've ever been able to close my eyes and open them while still dreaming. My entire world got a bit darker but I was still dreaming, which is pretty unbelievable to me.

Has anyone shared this experience or have an tips on how to make it happen again? Any advice would be appreciated, I hope it happens again.

I have a similar problem slash blessing.
Most of my dreams i am for the most part aware that its not real. My dreams also Have unusual length and plot structure. Just like movies.
I had a dream in which at least three full days elapsed (this was before i knew to do a double take on clocks to see time jump around).
I rarely am able to control everything. Cheating is my strongest automatic sign that i am dreaming. I guess you could say i found true love because any situation were i am making or accepting sexual advances from a different woman i almost always go shit this isn't right and realize i am dreaming. Although the feeling of guilt grabs me and i cant focus to stay lucid.
I can often think independently from whats going on like i am at a movie.
I spend almost my entire day in the clouds or absorbing my surroundings and trying to be ultra aware.
In my opinion the more attention to real waking life i spend the more length and vividness i gain as well as the partial lucidness u describe.

Whenever I allowed the dream follow its course, I always lost lucidity. Acting sort of reminds you that you're asleep, and when you stop and follow the dream you get lost in its contents. So I'm really surprised to read about your very long lucid dream as a passive observer.