Jasmin Rotman

The spider on my hand was a cover up of a tattoo I mistakenly had done when I was a kid. I chose the spider as my biggest hobby is the study of arachnids, and I keep tarantulas as pets. What had gotten me into this particular hobby was that I came to a crossroads with myself a couple years back & was ready for change. I wanted to face my battle with anxiety & I figured the best place to start was with irrational fears, the top of that list being spiders.

To face the unknown. I have 3 spiders, 3 skull tattoos & a moth. Dealing with the unknown involves a combination of acceptance, mindfulness, taking proactive steps to build resilience and manage anxiety. It's important to acknowledge that some degree of uncertainty is a normal part of life and to focus on what you can control.

I would love to be able to go to college and study entomology. Where I am at in life currently does not feel like I make any impact on the world. The opportunity to get a degree in the study of insects & conservation would allow me to help people understand the small world around us. I believe sometimes we need to step back and see the small things that make such a big impact in our world & environment today.