Thread: Difficulties with dream journal.

One thing that has helped me in the middle of the night is just putting down key words. I actually send myself a text message with the words so that I see the text in the morning and remember.

Personally, the pen and paper bit doesn't work for me, because writing takes a while. The next day I'll take a half an hour and use the Dream Journal section of this site to record what I recall about my dreams from the night before. I don't like getting up completely to write anything down in the middle of the night, because I'll struggle to get back to sleep.

Instead of just writting it in the middle of the night, why not take notes and then just write when you wake up?
Not like I do that, I just wait until I have time and then write.

I have a notebook and a little light by my bed. When I wake up and remember a dream I just try to write down what I can. I don't try to force it, just write down what you remember than go back to sleep. If it's in the morning when I want to get up I might spend a bit more time on but just never think TOO hard about it, let it come naturally, there's nothing more you can do.

Yeah, I just write jotnotes in the morning/at night, and type up the rest of the dream in the evening.

This has always been the number one turnoff for me when it comes to reaching higher quantities (and qualities) of lucid dreams. It can take considerable chunks of time depending on how detailed you are and what medium you use to record. The notes, as mentioned, is an essential tool for getting quick recall without fear of forgetting. When you actually get to writing the dream in its entirety you have a few options depending on how much time you're willing to spend. One is the pen-to-paper method that I used to subscribe to religiously. I stopped this practice as I'd sometimes slave an hour or more over my journal. Another, probably most popular, is typing directly on the computer. This can still eat some time up but is arguably the best for capturing all details and descriptions as well and editing and showing to others. Benhurt's dream journal (sticky on Grandfathered Dream Journal bored) is quite convenient. A third might be to record on an audio device. This might enable you to easily describe a dream directly upon waking and is certainly the most time-effective method. Drawbacks include less clarity compared with written entries (you may say "um" a lot, for example) and difficulty in reviewing and editing. I'm sure other people might have other cool and creative recording techniques they've tried.

It's important not to kill your motivation to lucid by adhering to too burdensome a routine. Just try different things out. ^o^

My dreams are really long (I've filled up to 5 pages on one dream, solid, full page, single spaced). Which I'm fine with because I write anyways (mostly screenplays). I personally prefer having just a simple notebook because it is something that you'll always have. I mean I don't think I'd ever throw them away, imagine being able to look back at and remember dreams from decades ago. Plus the big advantage with pen and paper is the freedom to draw and record freely. And you can do it by your bed with a little light, no harsh computer screen to stare at.. I guess it's whatever works best for you, as long as you don't feel like your slaving away on it. I don't think it should feel like a chore.