Sounds like your sleep hygiene is pretty good then. My girlfriend suggested to me that the strange waking up could be my body trying to go into a biphasic sleep schedule. I kinda shrugged it off because I don’t want a biphasic sleep schedule, but it might be worth researching. I think I’ve slept through the entire night once in the past 4 months. Although I’m not sure I see much of a problem or experience too much of a disruption for being up 5-10 minutes (and, as mentioned, it allows me to try a MILD in the middle of the night).
Compared to WILD I find MILD to be much easier hahaha. I think MILD is actually pretty simple. My unsolicited advice: Keep your journal well. Over time you’ll start to notice your dream signs. Build those into your mindfulness and mantras. (For example: “When I see [[insert dream sign here]], I question my reality.”)
This thread might be helpful: *Suggestability test: Make MILD/Auto-Suggestion Work for YOU
I use auto suggestions like these when I go (back) to bed.
MILD is more like building up a habit than WILD. It takes consistent effort, but I find it far more approachable and less frustrating than WILD and after you build those habits it gets easier.
Let us know how it goes!