My story and stats

Counting Dreams: A Journey Through the Years 

I finally took the time to tally up all the dreams I’ve had over the years. Let’s just say, this wasn’t a weekend project! For anyone curious about my journey and how it all started, I’ve shared my story and the stats below. 

How It All Began 

Officially, I started my dream journals in the summer of 2007, though I had tried several times before that. I remember one attempt when I was a teenager—I used colorful pens and pretty sheets of paper, hoping to make it all special. But I couldn't keep up with it. Eventually, I gave up because it wasn’t as perfect as I’d imagined. This pattern repeated over the years, and the only attempt I clearly remember was from a family trip under a full moon. All the other times, I can only recall as spontaneous decisions on random days.

Then, I came across advice that changed my approach: journals don’t need to be pretty, because that might create resistance. So, I bought a simple, sturdy notebook with heavy paper—one that worked well with a ballpoint pen and was tough enough for rough sketches. Over the years, I tried a few different journals, but I always ended up returning to these simple, reliable books. Even today, I still use the same type, and after all these years, I can still find them at the same bookstore. 

My First Lucid Dream 

Before discovering lucid dreaming as a formal practice, I had a few “low lucids”—moments where I realized I was dreaming, usually because it was a nightmare, and I’d wake myself up. I didn’t know lucid dreaming was even a thing until one evening, I stumbled upon LD4ALL. Back then, it was the go-to forum, and there was even a section for Dutch speakers. I honestly thought it was all nonsense, but I signed up and told myself, “If I can’t do this, then lucid dreaming is a myth, and they’re all just dreamers with wild imaginations.” 

A few months later, on February 6, 2008, I had my first real lucid dream. 

That was a turning point for me. I made several lasting friendships, some of whom I’m still in touch with today. It was also the first place where I was asked to become a moderator and help others on their own journeys. I was truly honored and happily accepted the role. (Today, I’m no longer a moderator there, as the forum has undergone several transformations over the years—one of which was the retirement of the Dutch section.)

Building a Dream Network 

As time went on, my network expanded. I connected with members of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) and attended several conferences in the Netherlands. I also volunteered for the online Psiberdreaming Conference (PDC), published articles in Dreamtime Magazine, and even gave a presentation once about precognitive dreaming. More than anything, I made countless lasting friendships through these experiences. 

During the online conferences, there were PSI dreaming contests focused on telepathy, precognitive dreams, remote viewing, and shared dreaming. I participated in these contests and won the remote viewing competition twice, and placed third another time. When I heard that the PDC was retiring, I was sad, but recently, IASD announced that their next annual conference (in 2025) would be held online again—so I’m excited to reconnect. 

Thanks to the PDC, I discovered the concept of dream-inspired art and had the opportunity to connect with fellow artists. I was truly amazed to see how they created art entirely based on their dreams! This sparked a new creative direction for me, and I was inspired to start making art from my own dreams. Although I had a background in art, turning dreams into art was a completely new and exciting challenge. I submitted my first dream-inspired artwork to the online PDC galleries, and later had the honor of sharing art in person at the annual conference. There, my piece was displayed alongside many others in the hallways of the stunning Rolduc Abbey in the Netherlands, where it could be admired by conference attendees.

Who Am I? 

If any members of IASD are reading this, you might be wondering, “Who is this?” Because no one knows me as "Enelya"—I’m known by my real name in most circles. Over the years, my life has taken some wild turns, and due to health issues and some "dry spells," I’ve lost touch with many dreamer friends. As forums faded and Facebook took over, I found myself missing the good old days of internet forums—because, let’s face it, I’m not the biggest fan of Facebook! 

The Return to Lucid Dreaming: Discord 

My health improved significantly, to the point where a chronic illness was no longer a concern, and I was able to stop taking medication. With the condition that had once impacted my dream recall now behind me, my ability to remember dreams steadily improved each month. This newfound clarity inspired me to seek out new communities and connect with like-minded individuals who share an interest in lucid dreaming and out-of-body experiences.

In March 2022, I reconnected with lucid dreaming after discovering a Reddit page about the Gateway Tapes. That led me to a whole new world of online engagement on Discord. I joined several servers, including The Gateway Tapes, where I eventually was asked to become a moderator. With nearly 6,000 members of all ages, it’s no surprise I prefer to keep my real name hidden. Still, I wanted a space where I could share my experiences without them getting lost in the constant flow of messages on the server. So, I created this blog, remaining anonymous so I could express myself freely, without filters.

Dream Journal Stats 

Now, onto the numbers. The total count of dreams I’ve had is higher than the number I’ve written down. There were times—especially during chaotic periods—when I didn’t have the chance to record everything. For instance, I started journaling again after experiencing the same recurring dream for weeks, even months (the spider dreams—a story for another time). Once I began writing them down and taking inspired action, the recurring dream finally stopped. So, the statistics below reflect only the dreams I’ve written down. These include regular dreams, hypnagogic events, nightmares, false awakenings, lucid dreams, and out-of-body experiences. 

Total Dreams Logged: 11351

Total Lucid Dreams: 497

Total Out-of-Body Experiences: 72

This blog is still in its early stages and continues to grow, but I’m always open to feedback and suggestions on how to make it better. Is there a particular book you'd like to see explored in more detail? A lucid dreaming technique you'd like to learn about? Or do you simply enjoy reading my dream logs? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

x

Enelya

Last updated: November 2024