Slices of Life

Welcome to the world of aphantasia

By: Jill Pertler

Ever feel lost? Welcome to my life. Quite literally.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had trouble with directions and all things spatial. I described myself as geographically challenged. I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. I used to routinely get lost in a familiar mall. I thought it was normal.

I was right, and wrong, at the same time. I am normal, but not like most people. My normal involves living with a condition called aphantasia, which is the inability to voluntarily create a mental picture – or map – in your head. People with aphant...