Trouble falling asleep

Anytime I try to go to sleep during WILD, I just can't ever seem to actually fall asleep. I try to let my thoughts wonder for most of the time (and usually this works), but when I start to get sleepy and attempt to become aware...it's as if my thoughts are bringing me back to a non-sleepy state. I'm saying my mantra in my head, and never aloud.

I attempt at least two WILDs a day to gain more experience; one within minutes after waking up after sleep (generally 7-8 hours), and a nap after a few hours (generally 4-5) of waking. I'm never sleepy when I try. :(

Yeah, if you not sleepy, that may not be a good time to try.

Try after shorter sleep - 4.5hrs or so at night. You should still be sleepy enough. And if you normally don't take naps and you can't fall asleep, then naps may not be for you. Sorry, because naps are really good time for lucids. maybe try when physically tired from some activity.

If this doesn't work, try to go with a DILD. You don't need to WBTB for that. And practicing for DILD will help you with WILDs and also non-lucids.

Also, if once you start to get to that sleepy feeling, like you are close to getting to sleep, you can go ahead and stop repeating the mantra in your head. This extra focus/attention could be what is not letting you progress. Once you get to this point, you don't want your awareness to be too active. Try to passively observe the process at this point and just drift closer and closer to sleep. Just keep practicing and gaining that experience.

If you think clear and specific thoughts it will be difficult. I often refer to sneaking your awareness past the gates of sleep. It is important that you not engage in thinking about specific things. That is why mantras or counting should be in the back of your mind. When counting just start over at one if you space off and NEVER try to remember your place.