I'm also aphantasic. I found out when I was in my sixties that this was a thing, and that other people see vivid images. And now I know why guided meditation doesn't work for me ("Take yourself to a place you feel happy..."). When my kids were little, I was petrified they would get lost because I had no idea what they were wearing that day, had no images of them to recall, and I knew everyone would think I was weird as well as a bad mother.
But like you, I love words. Words are my natural habitat, and the main difficulty here is that most people just aren't precise enough, which sometimes causes misunderstandings and arguments with my nearest and dearest - although having known me 20 years, you'd think my partner would get it...
And, like you, I love the calmness of no-pictures. Helps in a crisis, as I just focus on problem-solving, no wasted energy dealing with distressing images...
Lucy, this was an enlightening and beautifully written piece! Your perspective highlights how different ways of thinking shape creativity and life’s experiences. A fascinating read about something I was totally unfamiliar with.
I'm also aphantasic. I found out when I was in my sixties that this was a thing, and that other people see vivid images. And now I know why guided meditation doesn't work for me ("Take yourself to a place you feel happy..."). When my kids were little, I was petrified they would get lost because I had no idea what they were wearing that day, had no images of them to recall, and I knew everyone would think I was weird as well as a bad mother.
But like you, I love words. Words are my natural habitat, and the main difficulty here is that most people just aren't precise enough, which sometimes causes misunderstandings and arguments with my nearest and dearest - although having known me 20 years, you'd think my partner would get it...
And, like you, I love the calmness of no-pictures. Helps in a crisis, as I just focus on problem-solving, no wasted energy dealing with distressing images...
It must have been such a revelation when you found out!
I have a similar issue with preciseness - mainly that I tend to read into things when I really shouldn't!
I love the final answer. Indeed visualization is tiring as hell. Great post.
Haha thank you!
Lucy, this was an enlightening and beautifully written piece! Your perspective highlights how different ways of thinking shape creativity and life’s experiences. A fascinating read about something I was totally unfamiliar with.
Thanks Jon, glad you enjoyed!
Wow - this was fascainating and enlightening!
Thank you!
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing, I learned something today
I am now educated