Aware that I was dreaming, but not lucid

**yorkey** · 06-20-2011 06:31 PM

Last night I had a dream in which I was aware I was dreaming. My sister and I were walking in and out of a clothes shop to see if anything would change when we re-entered, because in the back of my mind I knew thats what happens in a dream. Later, I was sitting on a chair in the shop, and I said to myself this is a dream, but I never became lucid! Ive never had a lucid dream before, but this was the closest I've ever gotten. It never occured to me to do a reality check, or to fly or anything like that. I just sat there knowing I'm dreaming but not being surprised or excited at all!

What I want to know is: what should I do next time this happens? I'm annoyed with myself that I didn't do a reality check.... So close! Does this count as a lucid?

**nothingto** · 06-20-2011 06:53 PM

You are lucid. From what I know, the fact that you knew you were in a dream makes it lucid.

**Whiskee** · 06-20-2011 07:09 PM

You can be lucid without having full control of the dream. I know, that sucks when it happens

If you know you are dreaming don't waste time with RCs. You have very few precious seconds to stabilize the dream before you lose lucidity, use them.
Rubbing your hands on the nearest wall can usually get you enough time to think about your next actions

**Spyguy** · 06-20-2011 07:56 PM

So you know you were dreaming, yet you didn't? There's quite some discussion around this term, but some (including myself) call this a semi-lucid dream. You know you're dreaming, yet you can't really grasp the fact, which means you don't really know.

**angie746** · 06-20-2011 09:29 PM

This is what happened to me a couple of weeks ago, i basically said to myself "it doesn't matter if i do x, y, or z because its only a dream" yet didnt become fully lucid, it is weird when that happens because when you wake and realise what happened you want to kick your own butt for not realising LOL, anyways i just decided to go with the nose pinch RC, first time i done it this morn and it works like a charm, very odd feeling though lol

**JussiKala** · 06-20-2011 09:30 PM

Happened to me last night. Basically a nightmare where I knew I was "trapped" in a dream, yet I didn't realize it was a dream. Ohohoo I was disappointed upon waking up.

**Reclypso** · 06-21-2011 04:13 AM

It's called a semi lucid dream, means you are very close to having one

I had one of these then had my first lucid the next day.

Idk if you've had lucids before but you probably will have another one in a few days, it gets me all excited when this happens.

**yorkey** · 06-21-2011 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Reclypso

It's called a semi lucid dream, means you are very close to having one

I had one of these then had my first lucid the next day.

Idk if you've had lucids before but you probably will have another one in a few days, it gets me all excited when this happens.

Awesome! What should I do now? Just continue doing reality checks during the day?

This morning I woke up without remembering any dream, which is odd for me because for the past 2 months that I've been writing in a dream journal, I remember at least 1 or 2 per night.

**Spyguy** · 06-21-2011 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by yorkey

Awesome! What should I do now? Just continue doing reality checks during the day?

This morning I woke up without remembering any dream, which is odd for me because for the past 2 months that I've been writing in a dream journal, I remember at least 1 or 2 per night.

Reality check, ADA, MILD, WILD, ... Whatever works for you

Don't worry about the recall, such nights happen from time to time.

**Reclypso** · 06-22-2011 05:33 AM

Just continue to tell yourself you will have a lucid, do reality checks, and maybe try a WILD or WBTB. WBTB works best for me and is simple you don't really have to do anything but get up get comfy then fall back asleep while keeping some consciousness.