Navigating Neurodivergence as a Tattoo Artist
In today’s blog edition, I offer you a glimpse into all the ways I’ve learned to adapt my approach to tattooing by curating systems and implementing predictable routines, allowing me to prioritize inclusivity, accessibility, leave room for accommodation for both myself, and clients like me based on my own neurodivergent experience.
So, for a quick introduction;
Me w my current Hyperfixation:
Mirror Etching
Howdy do! I’m Oddie (they/she) and I’m big time neurodivergent. If you’re not yet familiar with the term, it basically means my brain processes the world and operates differently than that of a neurotypical person (described below). I am both autistic and have ADHD, (often referred as AuDHD) and also deal with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
While it is absolutely be overwhelming at times, learning to understand and accept how my brain works has been essential to my career and lifestyle. Thankfully, I’ve learned how to implement systems to help me continue showing up my best for myself, my clients AND of course all the rad folk I share space with.
A quick intro to neurodivergence;
While Neurodivergent isn’t an official medical term, it is commonly used to advocate for inclusivity and accommodations for folk that require different needs from their environment. It’s a helpful alternative term instead of using words like “normal” and “abnormal.” “Neurotypical” Is basically the “average experience”; used to describe folks who don’t face additional struggles (or strengths) based on any differences with how their brain operates and perceives the world. Now, I’m no scientist, but it is crucial to remember there’s no single definition of how the “normal” human brain works.
I will be expanding more into neurodivergence in many posts to come, but for now;
I’d like to offer you a glimpse into how I navigate my business as a Neurodivergent Artist
Neurodivergence and Time Predictability
The reality of tattoo artists is a generally fast-paced lifestyle; meaning quick client turnarounds, stacked appointments, and relatively competitive industry. With self-employed artists, we do have the flexibility to choose our own schedules, but many do thrive in a high-energy, back-to-back routine. For this guy however, this type of work lifestyle would absolutely destroy me. Even back in my Barista days, (before i learned that I was neurodivergent) forcing myself through my 8-hour customer service shift would leave me physically, socially and mentally drained.
Now, with being self-employed myself, I’ve learned having complete control over my own schedule is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing being free to balance my time and relaxation, the curse being that if and when I work is based entirely on my own responsibility and drive.
I’ve learned to create a system-based, flexible structure that allows me to prioritize my time and energy for work / rest balance. It was crucial that I found a system that compliments my personal rhythm. After implementing this routine, I find that I am able to have better work and time boundaries within my chosen days. This creates a perfect predictable weekly balance, where I can consistently show up at my best without overwhelming, or burning myself out.
Currently, I find that I’m able to operate at my best with 3 to 4 active tattoo days per week. On these days, I aim to prioritize one client per day—though I may occasionally book two clients if they’re a good fit (like being booked together for friend or sibling tattoos, touch ups, or if two appointments are quite short).
My scheduled “work” days are evenly scattered along my week for maintaining my energy, and grants me flex time to check in with my clients, take care of my personal life, and limit potentially overwhelming my mental capacity.
An example of my current week layout;
Lava Lamps and Toe Beans
A typical Sunday experience
Monday: Tattoo Availability / Booked Client
Tattooing takes priority. If there’s no client, I use the day for admin, drawing, and crafting in the studio.
Tuesday: Admin / Drawing / Free Day
This day is for personal chores (laundry, meal prepping, etc.), admin tasks (emails, custom design work), and self-care.
Wednesday: Admin / Drawing / Free Day
Similar to Tuesday: I take care of household tasks, run errands, and handle any admin work.
Thursday: Tattoo Availability / Booked Client
Another tattoo-focused day, with admin or crafting work if not booked.
Friday: Tattoo Availability / Booked Client
Same structure as Thursday—tattooing first, and administrative work if needed.
Saturday: Optional Tattoo / Flex Day
I may work an extra tattoo day if needed or take this day for social events, self-care, or catching up on admin.
Sunday: Rest Day / Low-Key
A true “nothing” day. I focus on resting, indulging in personal hobbies (gaming, nature walks), and spending time with my cat. Occasionally, I might do some low-priority tasks like drawing or admin if I feel inspired.
This is my current structure, and is how I am able to keep things consistent. Scattering my Work and Rest days, along with having a “flex” day helps relieve the pressure of any mental processing delays and maintains that feeling of balance. I can maintain a general understanding for how predictable my week is going to look, and have a better time managing or adapting on the fly. Any unexpected changes, quick transitions, or last-minute schedule shifts - (which normally can be difficult for me to immediately process in the moment and adapt to) - becomes less overwhelming thanks to the flexibility of this structure.
The Mental Load:
Even on my scheduled “off” days, my brain is constantly recycling (Thanks, ADHD and anxiety, you’re one hell of a combo wombo). I quite literally have a thousand tabs open, (sometimes it can sound like a busy restaurant, my own half thoughts constantly talking over each other) shuffling through;
- new ideas for designs, tasks I need to do, emails I need to send, pay that bill, gotta respond to that text, I need to try that new hobby, did I say something stupid, why my tummy hurt, did that message make sense, I have not drank any water today, oh my god my laundry… the list never stops.
If you’ve dealt with executive dysfunction (difficulties in organizing, prioritizing, and following through with any task), you know any mental load can be incredibly overwhelming. There are absolutely still days that my spiralling mind prison keeps me trapped on the couch for days (we call that the ol’ Dissociation Station). It’s easy to mislabel this as ‘laziness,’ But for those who don’t experience this type of mental load, it can be difficult to understand how different functioning and processing can be, especially in a world that doesn’t outwardly offer accommodations.
When you wear all the hats of a self employed tattooer, it’s absolutely critical to try to find balance in handling each aspect of the job.
The many hats include;
- Admin tasks (emails, websites, client relationships, forms, supply orders)
- Content creating (social media presence across all platforms, responding and commenting, posting last minute availability, filming, editing reels or posts, writing captions, uploading and posting at specific times, finding your metrics, appeasing an ever changing algorithm)
- Creative Tasks (consistent new flash designs, related hobbies, custom designs, collab projects, art for myself, designing, supplying and ordering merch, stickers, painting, learning, finding inspiration)
- Business Tasks (certifications, licensing, registering, health and safety, accounting, taxes, pricing, bookkeeping)
“My Spoon is Too Big”
no but I actually ride or die small cutlery - No big spoons please
Honestly, the mental overload sometimes feels as exhausting as physical labor. Each of these tasks could be a full-time job on its own, and, for Neurospicy folk like me, (haha - highfive, we’re drowning) even one task can drain my energy for the day. (Often I refer my energy levels as “spoons” , or “beans”)
Some great resources for understanding energy levels and burnout for neurodivergent folks, including the Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino; https://butyoudontlooksick.com/
https://www.healthline.com/health/spoon-theory-chronic-illness-explained-like-never-before#1
https://neurodivergentinsights.com/mentalhealthresources/autism-and-burnout-glypb
Here are some ways I self accommodate my work flow and routines that help with my disability:
Scheduled “nothing” rest Day.
Single Client days
Low Effort safe foods or meal preps
limited Custom Tattoo appointment(s) / week
Focus Shifting (switching between drawing projects)
Email Templates
allocated email admin days (with flexibility)
advanced planning
Structured custom draft-design transparency
Stretching and arm massages
“work hour” and social media Boundaries
Social Media Breaks
Post Tattoo Floor Laying (critical)
Saying “it be like that sometimes”
Notion for brain dumps
Transparent and direct communication
Specific client experience expectation / accommodation requests
Prioritizing social recovery
These are generally non-negotiables, and are essential for balancing my career and mental well-being. Without them, I actively risk creative, social, physical and mental burn out in both my professional and personal life. On the plus side, Some of the things i’ve implemented (Transparent communication, client experience expectations, structured draft-design transparency) has actually given me a better understanding of my clients; granting them the opportunity to voice any of their own needs, and allows me to prioritize and find or offer accommodation to ensure a more comfortable experience.
Navigating Social energy and Burnout
I cannot express how much I love getting to know my clients. When you are spending (x) amount of hours with another person over something as intimate as a tattoo, that connection is essential to both of us. Plus, typically because of my interests and art subjects, I tend to attract many clients who are like me. I really value connecting through shared interests, personal stories, and I love when I can joke and laugh with my clients. Of course, Not everyone prefers talking through their tattoo appointments, but for those who do - a good conversation can really help serve as a distraction for the sensation or pain of tattooing, and makes time feel like it’s passing a lot faster.
With all that said, I’m actually quite introverted in my personal life - a big social day paired with my tattoo-mode hyper focus does usually take a hefty toll on my energy. I sometimes enter into ‘auto-pilot’ mode during conversations, where I can be a little extra slow to respond or accidentally derail the conversation. (If you’ve ever accidentally spoiled a movie or video game for me, please do not stress about it as I probably retained very little of the shared information).
By the time I am finished tattooing, and I come out of my hyper focus - especially if it’s a longer session - there’s a good chance I will default and power down, or I enter what I like to call buffering mode. I sometimes refer to this state as “poo brain” (yoinked quote from adventure time) or “post tattoo crash”. I’ve actually forgotten many times to charge my client after a tattoo because of this. (I do apologize to the folks who have had to remind me to charge them, and that I am operating a business and i’m not just mutually vibing over art and tattoos, idk i’m doing my best
it just be like that sometimes)
Social Burnout also shows up a lot in my personal life. If i’ve tattooed that day, it’s usually pretty rare I’m able to do anything other than go home, feed myself and lay down. I am currently taking medication for ADHD (which does help tremendously with the amount of energy I have in my day) but I still have my good and bad days. I regularly need to decide between going to a social event, or prioritizing a recovery day to balance my routines and burnout. I’m grateful for the friends i’ve been transparent with who understand my energy levels, but I’d be lying if I’d say it didn’t impact some of my relationships. And, unfortunately It can come with a lot of self guilt, a fair amount of FOMO (fear of missing out) and frustration knowing I’m unable to match the energy of friends without either pushing myself past my limits, or requiring a day or two after for mental and social recovery.
Client Focused Tattooing
Because I’ve learned that taking one client / day is how i’m able to best show up for both myself and my client, I am able to put a lot of that energy into ensuring my client has an ideal tattoo experience. I’ve learned where I can accommodate for clients who may also struggle with neurodivergence and/or overstimulation. During my time operating in a private studio, I was able to provide options for my clients like watching TV, offering fidget / Stim toys, snacks and juice, low lighting, and soft conversation. Now, with moving into a shared open concept studio, (I did have to sacrifice access to a TV) I made sure to find a space with likeminded artists that also prioritize their clients needs and comfort while maintaining the offered accommodations (providing additional privacy accommodations when needed).
With open, transparent communication I’m able to reassure and affirm my clients that their voice matters, and they have every right to express how they’re feeling before, during AND after the tattoo. Consent goes both ways, and may be given or taken away at any time; and your rights and affirmations are written, framed and hung up, available to see at all times right next to the mirror we use to view stencil placement.
For clients with different pain tolerances and sensitivities, offering both hand poke and machine techniques allows me to better cater to personal preference. For those with sound sensitivities, I’ve opted for a quiet tattoo machine, while hand poking is pretty much soundless.
I also encourage open communication post tattoo for any questions one may have after their appointment with me, or any other tattoo experience. Once you are a client of mine, I am happy to always be a resource to lean on if and when you feel like reaching out to me.
At the end of the day my clients are what my career is based on… To be able to provide a safe, memorable and comfortable experience and create stellar art that reflects each person is literally my job. To be quite honest, I’m quite thankful towards my neurodivergence experience, as it’s helped me bring an extra level of empathy and understanding to these interactions, ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and respected throughout their journey with me.
Myself, @Strumble.Tats and @Yap_Tats at Slowside Tattoo Studio
If you’re also neurodivergent, or simply someone struggling with navigating the demands of a world that often feels too fast-paced, please remind yourselves that it’s okay to prioritize your mental health and embrace your own experience. It is never too late to start accommodating yourself. The best lesson i’ve learned in my journey is that self-compassion is key to maintaining a sustainable, fulfilling career while navigating life as a Neurodivergent Artist.
~ Hiya! Thanks so much for reading this post!!
If you’re curious about more details on how neurodivergence shapes my tattooing, or if you'd like to hear more about how I manage social burnout, masking, or other topics, would like more resources on neurodivergence, or if you’re a neurodivergent artist like me - feel free to leave a comment on my Ko-Fi, or share your thoughts with me privately. Your experiences matter, and I'd love to continue these conversations with you.
