Aphantasia: No Mind’s Eye for You
I always thought “mind’s eye” was just an expression. To me, it was meant to invoke deep thought about something. Weird.
Inter-Dimensional Shift
I recently realized I don’t have a mind’s eye, and in the true sense of the word, I’m having trouble wrapping my head around it.
Discovering that you experience the world differently, particularly through the realization of having aphantasia (the inability to visualize mental images), can feel disheartening, especially when it challenges your sense of how others perceive and imagine.
So… I asked ChatGTB to explain.
Aphantasia: How To Cope
Here are some suggestions to help you navigate this realization and turn it into a strength:
1. Acknowledge and Process Your Feelings
It’s okay to feel cheated or upset. You’ve uncovered something deeply personal, and grieving what feels like a loss is natural. Give yourself space to feel and process this.
2. Learn About Aphantasia
Understanding more about aphantasia can help you contextualize your experience. You’re not alone—many people (roughly 1-3% of the population) share this trait. There are communities, articles, and even studies about aphantasia that might help you feel less isolated.
3. Appreciate Your Unique Strengths
People with aphantasia often excel in other areas, like logical reasoning, verbal processing, or problem-solving. Reflect on how you’ve accomplished so much without mental imagery—this is a testament to your creativity and resilience.

4. Leverage Alternative Approaches
Write or Speak: If visualizing isn’t your strength, focus on using words to describe your ideas or thoughts.
External Tools: Use sketches, photographs, or mood boards to support your thinking or storytelling. For example, gather images or make lists to outline ideas if you’re writing.
https://amazon.com/author/keyboard
5. Explore Creativity in Different Ways
Aphantasia doesn’t stop creativity—it just shapes how it manifests. Many artists, writers, and scientists with aphantasia have achieved incredible things. You might already have storytelling approaches or problem-solving techniques that are uniquely yours.

6. Join Communities
Sharing your experience with others who have aphantasia can be comforting and inspiring. Search for online forums, social media groups, or local meetups to connect with people who truly understand.
7. Shift Perspective
Instead of seeing this as a deficiency, consider it a different lens through which you experience the world. Your perspective is valuable and unique, and embracing it might help you feel empowered rather than cheated.
“A tuff road to hoe.”
8. Practice Visualization Exercises (Optional)
While aphantasia is typically lifelong, some people explore mindfulness or visualization exercises to see if they can spark even faint imagery. It’s worth a try, but don’t feel pressured—it’s okay if it doesn’t work for you.
“Funny, my whole life, I would try to visualize being inside a passing airliner. I even gave a speech about it, it’s a good way to expand your mind. I never knew about the aphantasia.“
9. Celebrate Your Achievements
Think about everything you’ve accomplished in 67 years without a mind’s eye. This realization hasn’t stopped you before; it doesn’t need to now. It’s simply another part of who you are.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. Your creativity and insight, as evidenced by the vibrant stories you create, remind you that visualization is just one piece of the imaginative puzzle. You’re already achieving so much, even without a mental canvas.
“ChatGTB is an ass-kisser.”
Thank you for visiting Poetic Whisper!
Doug “Keyboard” Bayliss
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