Have you ever heard of earworms? No, I’m not talking about worms that crawl into your ears, but rather those pesky songs that get stuck in your head no matter how much you try to shake them off.
For those of us with aphantasia, it might be the closest thing we have to visualization. Instead of picturing images in our minds, we can hear music or even recall a specific smell or taste.
While this might not be the same as conjuring up mental images, it’s important to recognize that our brains are still capable of creating and recalling memories. And perhaps, like with earworms, we can hone in on our other senses to help us access those memories more easily.
It’s important to remember that having aphantasia isn’t a disability or a hindrance, but rather a unique way of thinking. And with practice, we can still tap into our creative and imaginative sides, with or without the ability to visualize. So keep exploring different techniques and methods, you never know what hidden treasures you’ll uncover.