Have you ever struggled to describe a face, a place, or even a feeling? Do you find it difficult to remember details from a book or movie? You may have aphantasia, a condition where you can’t see images in your mind’s eye.
Living with aphantasia can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible to overcome. You might even discover that your brain has developed alternative ways to process information. For instance, have you ever had a sensory experience that you can almost taste or smell? Pay attention to those sensations and try to tap into them to recall a memory.
Other things you can do to work on memory recall include association, repetition, and visualization exercises. Even if the latter is difficult for you, there are other options such as using metaphors or creating a mind map. And remember, just because you can’t visualize an image doesn’t mean it isn’t present in your memory, waiting to be unlocked.
So take control of your aphantasia by embracing it and finding alternative ways to tap into your imagination. You may surprise yourself with what you discover.