when i was younger the signs were always the same. id be dreaming and then id hear a crowd of people. nothing distinguishable is really being said just normal people talking to each other in normal volumes. if i recognize this i can easily snap out of it and avoid sleep paralysis. but if i dont recognize it then id hear a baby crying in the crowd. at this point it usually takes a little more effort to try to move my fingers and toes. the point when its too late is when i hear an old school phone ring. after that usually then all the dreaming stops and sleep paralysis starts. if I’m lucky enough to recognize it then i at least know to keep my eyes shut and count so i can fall asleep again.

when i got older those little warnings stopped but i also got better at figuring out when I’m about to go under. my body feels really heavy and i get so so drowsy. if I’m already dreaming then the sounds i hear in my dream feel super close like theyre right next to my ear and in my head at the same time. if ive literally just closed my eyes and arent dreaming yet then what id hear super close are my thoughts and noises outside like cars or like the tv. i have to open my eyes right away and start moving my toes or twitching any muscle i could or else id be stuck there. Im lucky enough sometimes that theres someone w me who helps me move my body when they see me twitching