Nike is lying to you

by Anastasia Novotny

Artist Statement:

This poem narrates the everyday experience with Executive Dysfunction and ADHD. It takes the motivational tag of Nike, "Just do It," and shows the conflict and confusion of knowing that you have extremely important things to do, and yet not doing them. Not getting up from the couch or out of bed, or moving on from the current and even completed task. Nike makes it sound easy; just do it, you have the strength and ability to do it, you just to acknowledge that and believe in yourself. But somehow, the knowledge and desire to do what I should doesn't outweigh my body's vacuum seal to this kitchen chair. It's the completely invisible ever-present fight between the dialogues of my brain, contributing to the anxiety over having any responsibility at all, and the envy of others at the ease with which they begin and complete the things they need to do. Why can't I just do it?