Reaching for my coffee cup, I looked at my friend with confusion when she described the beautiful sunset she saw on her evening walk. As an aphantasiac, I couldn’t relate to her vivid mental imagery. But that conversation helped me realize that although I may not visualize things, I do have a strong sense of hearing.
I began to experiment with different sound-based techniques, such as listening to detailed descriptions of images or creating my own soundscapes to accompany my thoughts. For example, if I wanted to imagine relaxing on a beach, I would listen to a recording of waves crashing against the shore and seagulls calling in the distance. This helped me create a more immersive experience in my mind, even though I couldn’t see the images.
I also found that music played a huge role in stimulating my imagination. By listening to instrumental pieces or songs with vivid lyrics, I was able to create stories and scenarios in my mind. I even started to find inspiration for my own writing by using music as a starting point.
Although these techniques may not work for everyone with aphantasia, I encourage everyone to explore their other senses and find what works best for them. We may not be able to see images in our mind’s eye, but with some creativity and experimentation, we can still imagine and create amazing things.