@tonyl
Joined over 4 years agoI am an artist that works in collage, not abstract but figuratively. Mostly, though, I draw with words I have written a few short stories but I prefer the medium of poetry, not about nature or beauty, but humorous, idea-driven, verse. I realise now that pastoral poetry is not my style because I cannot visualise it. I am great with words, can solve problems and puzzles and I love reading
Hi Kes I agree I don't think I am missing anything important as I would have surely noticed before. When I close my eyes it's a blank but my mind isn't. Looking forward to discovering more. Here is a poem I just wrote. I close my eyes but see only nightNo magical visions come to sightCan't conjure a moonriseThere are no stars in my eyesJust dark grey blurred charcoalebony black dark holeWhere all my visions are drawnStrangled before they are born Here is the twist I still exist I don't really care that visions aren't there
Definitely a reborn aphantasis with lots of lovely research and discovery before me. No problem with inability to visualise as I have got to wear I am without needing it. Could do with a bit less of the lucid, HD, impressive but oppressive dreaming and a bit more of the deep deep sleep.
Hi Kes thank you for your reply. It is absolutely amazing to be able to get to the age of 68 without realising that when most people are told to close their eyes and imagine something they actually see a picture. It's crazy. I have experienced something similar as I am red/green colour blind, I have stopped telling people this as their first reaction is to keeping asking the same question - pointing at something and say 'What colours is this'. Tedious. So perhaps if I mention my aphnatasia they will starting asking why can't you see an elephant/apple/Eiffel Tower/Grand Canyon etc when you close your eyes. I think I might just reply that it is always nighttime when my eyes are closed. Thank you for your input about autism it is such a misunderstood but also incredible interesting condition and I have now updated some of the misconception I have had. I have done a few online test and I always ended up with a result that I am not on autistic spectrum. There is something fascinating between the corellation of autism and aphantasia where outsiders make the mistake of seeing indifference, lack of emotion, etc where there isn't any. Both are as emotional and mentally healthy but show it in a far more different and subtle way. Much more needs to be done to educate the world on this. Anyway, that is how I feel and I am glad that I don't have to try anymore visualisation exercises so when I don my headphones and play the sound of waves crashing on the shore I won't be upset that I can't see that.