I had the same problem but i didnt do reality checks i just focused on my surroundings and the situation im in and then made decision am i dreaming or not. I find it hard to do reality checks without it looking weird. When you do reality check ask once am i dreaming then decide if it is dream or reality. You have to put a lot of focus on it when you do reality check this will bring more awareness to dream otherwise you just stay stupid mode in dream even if you realize your dreaming you dont understand it. Thats where the username came from this used to be very common problem for me.