Last night, I played a round of trivia with some friends. The questions were all about famous landmarks around the world. As I listened to them describe each landmark, I struggled to conjure up any images in my mind. My friends were amazed that I couldn’t visualize the Eiffel Tower or the Great Wall of China, but to me, it was just another night with aphantasia.
Living with aphantasia means that I am unable to create mental images in my mind. This can make it difficult to remember things or to imagine things that I haven’t seen before. But over time, I’ve developed strategies to cope with this condition.
One thing that has helped me is using descriptive language. When someone tells me about something, I ask them to describe it in detail. For example, if someone is telling me about their vacation, I ask them to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of the place they visited. This helps me to build a mental picture of what they experienced, even if I can’t see it myself.
Another thing that has helped me is practicing mindfulness. When I’m struggling to focus or remember something, I take a few deep breaths and try to clear my mind. By focusing on my breath and my body, I’m able to stay present in the moment and avoid getting lost in my lack of visualization.
Living with aphantasia can be challenging, but it’s also taught me to appreciate the other senses in my life. When I can’t see something, I focus on the sounds or the textures around me. And when I’m unable to remember an image, I lean on the emotions and memories associated with that experience.
In the end, aphantasia is just one part of who I am. And while it has its own unique challenges, it also gives me a different perspective on the world around me. So whether you have aphantasia or not, remember to appreciate all of the senses and experiences that make up your life.