Aphantasia and Reading
So after stumbling across different articles in the past year, realised I likely have aphantasia and initially shook. However, also, explains a lot.
I don’t see anything in my mind. Not even black. It’s just a void of nothing, absence of all visual (why I’ve always loved sleeping for getting to do the movie part.) I can’t “hear” my own voice or anyone else’s, nor music. Really super shit at remembering details of my own life. Friends and family retell shared stories and I often have no recollection of any of the details but feel like it sounds about right. However, always did well academically.
I think more in concepts and “knowing” stuff. Words have played a huge part of my life and journaling helps me know myself. I sometimes think in words but often it’s like my thoughts are forming as I’m speaking, typing, writing etc. Always asking loved ones to explain themselves in words etc.
That’s the background.
Key thing is I’m a lifelong reader. All genres. Non-fiction and fiction. I read widely. I even love fantasy which is high on world building that I don’t see. I equally love literary fiction and plot driven, character led stories. The feeling of the book, the emotions, words and concepts all fit in the stew of my brain to make a super enjoyable experience.
Blows my mind to think how we all enjoy books and reading entirely differently. Wondering what others experiences are with books and words?
(Incidentally, as an aside, I enjoy storytelling in movies too but find too much screen time/movies visually overstimulating much to the annoyance of loved ones as it’s usually a one and done for the day of a show/movie or it’s too much and I need a break!)