I now know why people try the plug your nose and breathe dream check. I’ve never really liked it because it so physical and kind of uncomfortable (and then I feel like I have to wipe my nose after). I’ve always relied upon and often succeeded with visual dream checks like reading clocks and lately even trying to put my fingers through my palm.

Just now the checks failed: I was with some religious group and arguing about guns and getting very angry, But I was trying to listen to their side. I desperately wanted to look up the sources they were giving me for their specious argument And I couldn’t read my phone it was a little dark and my face was partly wrapped in blankets. I kept trying and finally said to myself am I dreaming? I tried to do the finger through my palm check but since I felt like I couldn’t really see in the dark, I just felt my fingers on my hand and it seemed very real so I said close enough. Then later When it seemed I was waking up, I was cocooned in blankets, around my face and body. I peeled and peeled away layers and still couldn’t see until I was feeling claustrophobic. Again I said to myself is this a dream? And even that I really should do a dream check especially as I’m waking (knowing full well the prevalence of false wakenings). But again, I couldn’t see yet, so let it go. My dream was very tricky this time and I’ll have to do better next round.

Are there other good “blind” dream checks aside from squeezing the nose?