Could use a bitta guidance

Hiya, I know being a newb I should be posting in the newb section, but I felt this could be applicable to more than just me so I thought I would post it here for the world to see :D

I have a problem gaining lucidity: Lemme tell you my story.

When I was younger, I was a bit phobic of nightmares, nothing you could say was clinical, but I was scared shitless of them. Even today when I dream a completely gentle and harmless plotline, it brings with it a sense of foreboding which is present throughout its expanse. I have generated a bit of a "reflex" that causes me to wake whenever I begin to realise that I can assert power over my dream state, that I think I developed when I was younger and preferred to distance myself from as many dreams/nightmares as possible.

So my question to all ya'll experienced sleepers is, how would I combat this? I'm not particulary scared of dreams or nightmares now, but I have this habit of being constantly vigilant when dreaming that I wouldn't mind doing away with.

Cheers :)

It's pretty common to have to battle the "dweller on the threshold" when you get going into this type of thing. Basically it's your fear personified.

Sorry, I would've searched but i'm abit lost as to what I would input.

Are there any common techniques employed to prevent always waking? Or will it just come with time?

I think it's probably excitement that is waking you up. I know that was the case with my first few lucids.

i used to wake up a lot when i became lucid too. but ur problem sounds more of an old fear rather than an excitement problem. you can try just relaxing and staying mellow when you gain lucidity. try not even moving and just checking out ur surroundings.
one thing that would really help(i think) is auto-suggestion. when you are going to sleep, tell yourself-i will gain lucidity in my dream, and i will NOT wake up. i will gain lucidity in my dreams, and i will stay calm and relax to stay in my dream. - stuff like that. i hope i can help.

Thanks for the responses. I will give it another red-hot go tonight.