Me vs. The Octopus Brain

So, this morning I saw something circulating about an octopus going about it's day on Whitby beach and naturally - I fell down a Google rabbit hole (as you do!)

And guess what?

An octopus has NINE brains. Yes. Nine. This fascinated me, and deeper into the rabbit hole I did fall..

One big one in the head and eight mini brains, one in each arm.

Each arm can literally think for itself, move independently, taste things, solve problems, and probably judge you silently. Meanwhile, I’m over here with one brain that tries to handle a million racing thoughts, misplaces my keys, and forgets why I walked into a room.

Honestly?

If any creature is going to relate to ADHD energy… it has got to be an octopus?!

The Octopus Brain Breakdown

Central brain: The Big Boss. Controls life decisions.

Arm ganglia (mini brains):

Touch? Processed there.

Movement? Handled locally.

Random decisions like “What if I just throw this rock?”? Also there.

Imagine each of your limbs having its own thought process...

Arm 1: “Let’s do something productive today!”

Arm 2: “Oooh, snack?”

Arm 3: “I’m anxious about that thing from 2014.”

Arm 4: “I’m going to taste this rock.”

Arm 5: “What rock? I’m busy reorganizing shells.”

Arm 6: “Oooh, snack?”

Arm 7: “We should change colours to blend in!”

Arm 8: “No. Run.”

Meanwhile the main brain is just trying to keep everyone alive like:

“PLEASE CAN WE ALL FOCUS FOR ONE SECOND!”

If Octopuses Have ADHD…

That must be INTENSE.

You think our executive functioning is challenged?

Try having eight limbs, each with its own agenda.

Sensory overload?

Eight times the tastebuds and textures

Distracted easily?

Literally built for multitasking gone wrong

Masking?

They literally change colour to fit in

Feeling fidgety?

How many fidgets could one need?

Same, my octupus friend... Same!

So today, I’d like to send some love to:

The overthinkers

The emotionally tentacled

The multi-taskers who didn’t ask for that ability

The uniquely wired brains doing their best

If a squidgy sea genius with nine brains can thrive in this chaotic world…

Then maybe one brain is enough - especially when it’s as creative, curious, and unstoppable as ours.

Today, to begin.. I am being grateful for.. not being an Octopus! And sending my love to any Octopus with ADHD.