Of Plague Doctors and Octopuses
I had always wanted a tattoo, but was never in a financial position to get one. When I heard Darkside Art Co. was awarding gift cards to the winners of the costume contest at their 2019 Halloween party, I knew my opportunity had finally arrived. I already had a plague doctor outfit lying around, but decided I needed to bring my A game if I was going to win. So I added an iridescent feather shawl, leather gloves, and claw rings. To up the spooky factor, I added a bunch of fake leeches to a bottle that hung from my belt. As a last-minute decision, I added some SFX makeup to make it look like I myself had the plague.
All my effort paid off because I ended up winning 1st place in the horror category! In retrospect, my plague-themed victory may have been an omen because the COVID-19 pandemic would be in full swing in a few short months. On the plus side, the lockdown gave me plenty of time to think about what I wanted for my tattoo.
After a lot of debating, I decided to get a tattoo of an octopus—specifically the mimic octopus. Like all other octopus species, the mimic octopus can change its coloring to blend in with its environment. What makes the mimic octopus unique is its ability to disguise itself as different marine animals. They do this not by just changing their color, but also their shape and behavior. The mimic octopus disguises itself as venomous creatures to avoid predators and to hunt for prey.
The way mimic octopuses use their unique abilities to survive in a difficult environment makes them the ultimate neurodivergent mascot. As someone with ADHD and autism, I admire any creature that solves problems in a creative way that works for them.
There are certain aspects of everyday life that I find to be challenging due to my dual diagnoses. Time management has always been my biggest challenge. (Exhibit A: this entry being submitted on the final day of this contest.) It can be very frustrating to struggle with something that gives other people no issue.
The mimic octopus in my tattoo is crushing a pocket watch with a garnet—my birthstone—in its center. My tattoo is a reminder to myself that I can conquer the challenges I face in life using tactics that work for me.