As an aphantasic, I remember what I know about the Mona Lisa. I know that her lips are famous, I think her face is placed more to the right, and her hair and clothes are dark. I am not sure if you can see her hands, I would have said you cannot (I checked and I am wrong).

Apparently, I was never aware enough of her hands to know that they were in the painting. And I could not tell you how her hair lies or what her smile looks like.

It is not word-based, but just knowing. I just know the clothes are dark. There is no experience that can be edited.

When I collect the characteristics to write them down, I think in words.

Reading this post has made me realise that I haven't deliberately used visual imagination in a long time, and I'm finding it harder to do that sort of thing now.

I used to be practically limitless in my ability to recall imagery or change it at whim. Since then I've gotten years deep into a cycle of overwork, distraction based entertainments, parenting, and drinking. Also, a mild case of COVID that left me feeling slightly foggy a few years ago. No idea if that's related.

Did not plan to start my Friday at 5 am with an existential crisis, but cowabunga it is. Time to reclaim the inner empire or go mad in the attempt.

I mean, it's definitely visual, but it's not like I could recall or recreate it photographically.

I remember certain "broad strokes", but my brain just fills in the details with approximations (that are probably wrong). Like, I could tell you which way the Mona Lisa is facing, the color of the background, what her hair and face sort of look like, but without googling, I have no idea what clothes she is wearing.