I started these lucid dreaming attempts some weeks ago, and when I was still new I was really interested and took it seriously; I would do reality checks all day, write down some dreams etc, and even watched all lucid dreaming videos I could find on Youtube.
However, I’m cursed with an amazing impatience and have huge problems keeping my interest for long at all if I don’t see instant results;
I mean, I can relax during the actual dream attempts, but when it comes to seeing long-term results I have no patience at all, and I actually sort of gave up after only two or three tries.
I know this can take lots of time, but it just doesn’t help to think that way, I still have this urge for very fast results or I will quickly lose my confidence.
Now I’ve completely stopped doing reality checks and everything, and I just don’t seem to be able to rekindle my interest anymore, because I have a gnawing feeling I will “never succeed” just because I didn’t the first tries and on the handful of half-ambitious tries after that (WILDs during the day etc, I just fell asleep as normal no matter what).
Have you ever gone through this, and what did you do in order to get that enthusiasm back?
The same thing happened to me. About 6 months after the summer of 2006, I lost interest for two whole years because I wasn’t having much success. Then in 2009 I dedicated myself to attempt lucidity every day that year, and have improved a lot since then. And all I could say to myself is, “Imagine how good I would be now if I HADN’T taken those two years off!”
One thing that motivates me is the fact that once you’ve discovered lucid dreaming and had your first one, you can’t really “go back”. I mean, what else can you do with dreams? Lucidity is there for the taking! You might as well try. That’s just my thought process. Keep at it, it WILL be worth it.
I have the same problem. Whenever I find something interesting I enthusiastically start reading about it, but very soon I lose interest.
What might help is to remember WHY you want to have a lucid dream. What are you going to do in that dream?
Personally I’ve always wanted to fly Whenever I think of quitting I remember: “Anything is possible in lucid dreams!”
Maybe make a list of things you’d like to try in a lucid dream, or find movies (or books) that inspire you to lucid dream. For example, I want to fly in a lucid dream, so I watch movies of Peter Pan! Another good example is the Matrix, that movie is almost a metaphor for lucid dreaming.
Also, reading dreamjournals of experienced lucid dreamers might remind you of the possibilities
Also I would recommend trying a different technique. I’ve found that the simplest and most efficient way to go about it is the combination of WBTB and MILD.
You are really unlucky that you have not had ld’s so far. You will have them oneday and oneday soon. Once you have had your first one your intrest will imediatly rekindle itself. I would suggest. Looking at my C-WILD topic since there is no programing your mnd (mild) or trying to form a dream and trying to chase sp, hh and hi (WILD)
This technique should bring results within a week. It maybe short of low lucidity but any ld is worth it and should do the motivation trick.
Look, you’re going to have them but only if you keep them on your mind. Read other people’s journals, keep imagining the experience, make it new again!
You’re not unlucky at all to not have one so far. For some people it takes a bit longer. When I first found out about LD’s, it took me almost a year to get even my first fragment. I lost interest after just a month or so, and I realize now it cost me hundreds of LD’s. You have to push through. You can do it, you just have to stay focused. Is the possibility of controlling your own universe not worth a bit of patience? Is the ability to fly around Saturn’s rings and walk on the surface of the sun not alluring in the slightest?
Doing an RC takes almost no effort. Even if you cut out all other LD inducing acitivities, what does it hurt, how much time does it take to pinch your nose and check in you can breath?
If you want to not put in any effort, then this is a lost cause for you. But if you can devote even just a few moments, the rewards are worth it. It may take a while to get those rewards, but they WILL come.
Hey, I know what you mean when you feel you’ve lost your enthusiasm.
I dunno if this will help you but maybe you should try talking to someone about lucid dreaming in reality. Try to get someone else interested so that you can share your experiences with them.
It may help if it is someone you are close with like a family member, a sibling or even your mum.
It worked for me. I occasionally keep my brother updated and one day he mentioned about becoming lucid during his dream. That night I had a lucid as well.
I agree with Myne, sharing it with people and striving for a goal in 2 or more can make it much more interesting, and also easier. Try to find someone near you that values his/her dreams, and they’ll be raptured by the possibility of being lucid ^^
Also, if you find you can’t do something prior to the techs (like falling asleep again for WBTB), then I suggest you take it lightly, one step at a time, it won’t cost you much, given the results it will bring .
Lastly, it can do a great deal to one’s character to start meditating. Just taking half an hour for yourself and your thoughts, relaxing and listening to your surroundings. It will help you a lot, and I talk from experience here.
All of the above advice is more than enough to get you back on your feet. Instead of reiterating some of what others have said, I’ll simply tell you that you’ve already accomplished the hardest part of trying to lucid dream. Writing this thread and asking for help proves that. Somewhere inside of you, you desperately yearn for one. With that desire and internal goal, like everybody else said, it’s only a matter of time before it’s fulfilled. If you can just keep feeding your mind lucid dreaming related information, you will have a lucid dream.
Laurelindo - I totally get it. I’ve lost interest like a gazillion times. I think as long as you make a little effort everyday (even just thinking about LDing) it will help. Just try to remember how excited you were when you first found out about LDs that always helps me.
Just think about yourself in 30 years:
Just think about 30 years of LDing expierience!
Wouldn´t that be hilarious?
There is alot of time. If you don´t feel like getting up for WBTB every night (like me ) take it slowly.
All you need is to have your mind on LDs a little bit. Thing you could do
-keep a Dream Journal
-reading in the dreams of others
-think of things you would like to do
-create your own dreamworld!
-write/think up a story in /about your dreamworld
-just be inspired
-daydreaming when you are bored
-… insert thousands of other cool things here
As already said, meditation is a great thing. It helps you to evolve mentally.
To repeat it:
You have a LOT of time. when not profiting right now, then later. The effort is small. Make writing short notes in a Dream Journal a routine and take everything chilled out.
Thanks for all your replies.
I actually think I’m starting to rekindle my interest, because I’ve started trying techniques again and done reality checks every so often since yesterday morning.
Reading about your own success stories after several months of trying gave me new hope, after all I’ve only been trying for one month or so.
I have most frequently been trying this WBTB-WILD combo, and I’ve felt more “alive” in some dreams using that technique, like I could make somewhat active decisions and pay attention to my surroundings a bit more - I was not really lucid though, but it’s probably a good sign.
Improve your dreams, and your visualizations. This can be done first and foremost by recalling as much as possible about your dreams, all the little details, especially the kinds you want to be more frequent, like visual. That will state loud and clear that you want more of that, and I’m sure you’ll be able to supply yourself with plenty ^^
Clear out, define what you really want. I know you want LD, but the fact is, you often gotta try to be more specific, your definition of LD might be off track. To do so, try reinventing your dreams, by putting lucidity in them (write your dream again, only this time you get lucid in the middle of it). That, or invent one of the amazing LD’s you want, by scratch, Let your imagination run wild, and be smooth about the results. It’s just a story afterall.
Use WBTB, and start stating your intention of becoming lucid during your dreams, before falling asleep. Mantras and intentions can greatly increase the chance of making you realize you’re in a dream.
Feel motivation, you can do anything if you believe enough in it. Read this topic for further development of the idea.
Read DJ’s for inspiration. Read of the amazing adventures anyone can have in their dreams, get accustomed to the idea, start daydreaming about your own. Here’s one of the best examples we have here.
Remember that lucidity is first and foremost about awareness, simple awareness of the here-now, of what’s happening around you and inside you at any moment. We call it Lucid Living.
Let it happen. And have fun.
[com]It’s from another topic, but it should work for you too. [/com]
I’ve been an on again off again member here since Freshman year when I first discovered lucid dreaming. I get my interest back anytime I have an unintentional LD or whenever I just remember how amazing LD is. Just keep at it, and be patient. It will come I promise.
Tim, the webmaster of Lucidipedia, once said that you should strive for a specific experience instead of a “lucid dream”.
If you had a concrete goal with your lucid dreams it would be much easier for your brain to make something out of it.
The same thing happened to me. About 6 months after the summer of 2006, I lost interest for two whole years because I wasn’t having much success. Then in 2009 I dedicated myself to attempt lucidity every day that year, and have improved a lot since then. And all I could say to myself is, “Imagine how good I would be now if I HADN’T taken those two years off!”
Whenever I think of quitting I remember: “Anything is possible in lucid dreams!”
Another good example is the Matrix, that movie is almost a metaphor for lucid dreaming.
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