DeAnn Morris

Thank you for this article. I feel better about my aphantasia. The idea "imageless imagery" states my experience exactly. l'm so grateful to know that others describe their experience this way, too. Thank you for this: "This understanding shifts the conversation from what we “can’t” do to exploring and leveraging our unique cognitive strengths. For too long, aphantasia has been defined by absence." These words are so consoling. I've felt this sense of loss for years.

I knew something was wrong with me when I could not "do" guided meditations. And then once I was in an auditorium of people. Our instructions were to picture and build a "safe place." With our eyes shut. I couldn't get started. I opened my eyes and saw all these people, happy faces, building away, moving their arms to pat things into shape. I just sat down on the floor, sad. Sad. Something wrong with me. Years later I was on Facebook and this "quiz" scrolled by. "Can you see pictures in your mind?" I lunged at the quiz. And found out what was "wrong" with me. Something called aphantasia. I was devastated. I still feel a sense of loss. I had intended to attend the big meeting in England a few years ago but wasn't able. I had questions. And concerns. Turns out, my adult child is also aphantasic. They don't seem to mind. I am able to hear music in my head and for that I am deeply grateful. I just cannot imagine (!) that others can "see" in their mind's eye. Wow.