Community Stories

Jess Demasi: Free from Expectations

Freedom means being unabashed in myself, completely at home in my body, my soul, myself.

Support our Nonprofit Magazine!

Before you start reading... There has never been a time when our community and content was needed more. Unlike other sites, we don't publish sponsored content or share affiliate links. We also don’t run ads on our site and don’t have any paywalls in front of our content–-anyone can access all of it for free.

This means we rely on donations from our community (people like YOU!) to keep our site running. We want to be here to support you all through this pandemic and beyond, which is why we are asking you to consider donating whatever you are able.

A single (or monthly) donation of just $5 will make a HUGE difference and will help keep our nonprofit running so we can continue offering peer support for mental health through our content.

 

BECOME A MONTHLY PATRON


What does Freedom mean to you and what are you “Free from”?

Freedom means being unabashed in myself, completely at home in my body, my soul, myself.

I am free from expectations. Expectations of others, myself, society. I’m done. I no longer want to let other people’s expectations dictate what I should look like, dress like, act like, or be like in my life. And I’m done taking those expectations and placing them on myself.


Freedom means being unabashed in myself, completely at home in my body, my soul, myself.


Tell us a bit of your story. How did you get from where you were to where you are today?

I developed an eating disorder at the age of 15. I didn’t know how to cope with emotion, I didn’t feel safe to be vulnerable, and so I spent most of my time holding my life with a suffocatingly tight grip. That grip carried over into food restriction. It was another way for me to feel in control and assure myself that yes, I can control the world and prevent pain.

I finally realized I had a problem halfway through college and tried to do the recovery thing all by myself, not even going to God. I didn’t really let anyone help me and I’m convinced that is why it was such a long, painful process.

Over the years I recovered and discovered my purpose for helping women heal their own relationship with food and their bodies. My life has been rich and free ever since.


I recovered and discovered my purpose for helping women. My life has been rich and free ever since.


Describe the contrast between how your life looked and felt before experiencing this sense of freedom and after?

Sobering. Finding freedom required a hefty dose of reality: realizing that no, you can’t make everyone happy and no, that isn’t even your job.

Taking that a step further and creating healthy boundaries to further protect the new found freedom can really change your relationships because when you become free, it can threaten those that are still imprisoned.


Finding freedom required a hefty dose of reality.


How are you committed to sharing this message of Freedom with the world and what change do you wish to inspire?

My entire business is dedicated to helping women find their freedom by breaking free from the chains of societal beauty standards, lies over self-worth, and anything else that imprisons them!


My entire business is dedicated to helping women find their freedom.


What message do you have for others who may feel trapped or alone right now?

There is never wasted pain. I know we could all do without some of the hardships in our lives, but if you let them, these dark times can be the catalyst for change and transformation unlike anything else.

You are worth fighting for. There is always hope.


There is never wasted pain. You are worth fighting for.



SITE DISCLAIMER: The opinions and information shared in any content on our site, social media, or YouTube channel may not represent that of Libero Network Society. We are not liable for any harm incurred from viewing our content. Always consult a medical professional before making any changes to your medication, activities, or recovery process. Libero does not provide emergency support. If you are in crisis, please call 1-800-784-2433 or another helpline or 911.

Subscribe!

Become a Patron

Support our nonprofit magazine by becoming a monthly patron!