I used to have lucid dreams all the time back when I first joined the forum, but I fell out of practice and just thought that I lost my abilities. However, I’ve been practicing autosuggestion (via a moleskin book in which I write “I will Lucid Dream tonight” and draw pictures of my favorite dream characters and dream symbols) and several reality checks throughout the day. Mostly when I enter a bathroom since that is the most common dream symbol of them ALL.
Anyway, I was very close to having a LD last night after dreaming about trying to transfer giant clams to another tank (LOL), but every time I became lucid the dream faded. I tried to reach out into the darkness like other people have suggested on this board to other members, but I don’t remember what happened after that. I guess it just proceeded to a normal dream.
I also remember a public bathroom being in my dream last night, but other characters were so insistent on using the stall I was in (don’t blame them, it was the only clean stall), I felt too rushed to do a reality check. 
Anyway, this is progress compared to the usual. I’m trying to keep positive since being negative tends to drive LD s away. 
Well, this suggests that you actually DID have a lucid dream. So, you were not close, but you were lucid.
Anyway. I may not have been on the forum as long as you, but I’ve been active lately and have never seen anyone suggesting to ‘‘reach out into the darkness’’.
Usually it is recommended to rub your hands (my technique, always works for me 
) or touch things from the dreamworld to stabilize the dream.
By the way…you can never ever lose the ability to lucid dream, so don’t think such things.
You have the same ability as anyone here does, but your excitement fell greatly and you weren’t motivated enough.
If you try again, you’ll be your old self again sure enough 
Good luck.
I have the same problem, that’s why I joined the forum again (Wish I could remember my old username and password)
I found that the thing that helped me the most back then was keeping a DJ, it really helped me recognize my dreamsigns and I used to have LD’s every night; I’d instantly know that I was dreaming just by being there, feeling the way it feels and seeing the way it looks. When I stopped coming on this forum I stopped writing in my DJ, and slowly had less and less LD’s until I don’t have any anymore.
So my suggestion is to start a DJ if you don’t have one already, and if you do, just make sure to write in it the first chance you get when you get up, while it’s fresh on your head.
Hope that helps.
Thanks, I always write in my DJ. 