That is what the development went like for me too, though I’m able to do all three methods still. Might be because I’m a pretty visual thinker.
I also still remember the phase where I only thought in imagery/feel (‘vibe’?); my first memory that I know of, to not be from a photo or story, is in fact of me learning to speak when I was four. Before that age, I didn’t have access to hearing. I now do, but I can switch my hearing off and I sometimes do so for relaxation.
That said, I lost my phantasia and now I’m more aphantasic, so to say. Alongside with it my pretty photogenic memory is also less.
I personally prefer imagery for most purposes, sometimes with a sort of ‘feel’. For more abstract things, I often use the inner voice. Written words for thoughts feel like they take more ‘effort’ and so I prefer imagery and inner voice.
I love hearing about other people who remember very early memories. There aren’t a lot of us out there. It’s interesting how you remember switching your hearing on/off. Do you also remember feeling like you were in your own “little world,” unaware that others were observing you? I remember the moment that sensation shattered, though I don’t know what age I was exactly, just that I was too young for school yet. I remember dancing at a family party, going completely with my feelings, until my uncle (who was DJing) pointed me out. I felt like I was pulled out of the moment and all eyes were on me for the first time. It was like my first glimmer of social awareness and I freaked out, running away to hide. It was probably confusing to everyone, haha.
I’m also curious if you use any kind of visual arts to convey your imagery thoughts. For a while I did photography to try to express my more visual thoughts, but now I draw and paint to do the same thing.
That is what the development went like for me too, though I’m able to do all three methods still. Might be because I’m a pretty visual thinker.
I also still remember the phase where I only thought in imagery/feel (‘vibe’?); my first memory that I know of, to not be from a photo or story, is in fact of me learning to speak when I was four. Before that age, I didn’t have access to hearing. I now do, but I can switch my hearing off and I sometimes do so for relaxation.
That said, I lost my phantasia and now I’m more aphantasic, so to say. Alongside with it my pretty photogenic memory is also less.
I personally prefer imagery for most purposes, sometimes with a sort of ‘feel’. For more abstract things, I often use the inner voice. Written words for thoughts feel like they take more ‘effort’ and so I prefer imagery and inner voice.
I love hearing about other people who remember very early memories. There aren’t a lot of us out there. It’s interesting how you remember switching your hearing on/off. Do you also remember feeling like you were in your own “little world,” unaware that others were observing you? I remember the moment that sensation shattered, though I don’t know what age I was exactly, just that I was too young for school yet. I remember dancing at a family party, going completely with my feelings, until my uncle (who was DJing) pointed me out. I felt like I was pulled out of the moment and all eyes were on me for the first time. It was like my first glimmer of social awareness and I freaked out, running away to hide. It was probably confusing to everyone, haha.
I’m also curious if you use any kind of visual arts to convey your imagery thoughts. For a while I did photography to try to express my more visual thoughts, but now I draw and paint to do the same thing.