Thank you for the Aphantasia Network!
I've maybe been a member for over a year. In that time, not only have I loved the humour, but I have learnt about myself and about this particular deviation from boring bog standard. I wanted for many years to connect with others with similar 'wiring'.
One benefit I've derived from this network is that I have become aware of when I DO visualize. Maybe once a week, for less than a second, I do actually see something – mostly a colour of something I know or have known, even colour AND a pattern sometimes, such as a fabric pattern. It is faint, fleeting fuzzy and tiny BUT I now understand that, even so, it plays a role in my memory, just a very small role. It is a positive thing to be aware of this.
I think, possibly, that my visualization ability hasn't developed properly because I haven't needed it: on here, we know it isn't strictly necessary, though very useful for avoiding getting lost! I think that if I did need it in the future, it could improved to meet any pressing needs.
I also want to share that I have mixed feelings about the current term: 'aphantasia'. it is a nice word; it is positive and interesting. However, as a music-lover, I have previously only known the word 'phantasia' as the name of my very favourite classical music form! And, if I have been listening to a phantasia I can hear it in my head for days! I absolutely love phantasias. Therefore, personally, I find the rather nice term 'aphantasia' inappropriate.
