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Empty Cages: Keys to Finding Freedom
Maybe you feel stuck in life.
Maybe you feel like you've lost yourself.
You don't have to stay there.
Because you were made to live soaring, flourishing, free.
NAME YOUR CAGE. FIND YOUR FREEDOM.
In this hilarious and poignant book, Empty Keys to Finding Freedom, Jess Basson discovers why she went from being a spirited, quirky, confident little girl to a thirty-something mom struggling with depression and limited self-belief.
With honesty and humour, Jess lifts the lid on how undiagnosed ADHD and early motherhood impacted her mental health.
Join her as she unlocks empathy for anyone who has lost themselves along the way, and drops keys that help you find steps to being soaring, flourishing and free.
“Jess is so real, raw, candid and funny as she shares her story of self-awareness, courage and deep joy that I could in so many parts relate to. Empty Cages tackles the stigma, anxiety and shame around mental health, motherhood and the relationship with self. Jess’ voice is a gift to our collective sisterhood, being vulnerable and sharing our stories is such a powerful way of connecting us as we rise together.” – Jane Linley-Thomas, Radio Presenter
"
Maybe you feel like you've lost yourself.
You don't have to stay there.
Because you were made to live soaring, flourishing, free.
NAME YOUR CAGE. FIND YOUR FREEDOM.
In this hilarious and poignant book, Empty Keys to Finding Freedom, Jess Basson discovers why she went from being a spirited, quirky, confident little girl to a thirty-something mom struggling with depression and limited self-belief.
With honesty and humour, Jess lifts the lid on how undiagnosed ADHD and early motherhood impacted her mental health.
Join her as she unlocks empathy for anyone who has lost themselves along the way, and drops keys that help you find steps to being soaring, flourishing and free.
“Jess is so real, raw, candid and funny as she shares her story of self-awareness, courage and deep joy that I could in so many parts relate to. Empty Cages tackles the stigma, anxiety and shame around mental health, motherhood and the relationship with self. Jess’ voice is a gift to our collective sisterhood, being vulnerable and sharing our stories is such a powerful way of connecting us as we rise together.” – Jane Linley-Thomas, Radio Presenter
"
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2021
7 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 29, 2022
With disarming vulnerability, enlightening transparency and brutal honesty, Empty Cages makes me feel that Jess’ journey is in a sense everyone’s journey - The journey to understand ourselves and accept ourselves.
It’s a real, witty, brave and liberating read I recommend for women and men that might find themselves stuck.
“Honesty is delicious” - Jess
It’s a real, witty, brave and liberating read I recommend for women and men that might find themselves stuck.
“Honesty is delicious” - Jess
January 30, 2022
Dear Jess, I’ve finished your beautiful book! I loved it, loved it, loved it.
I love how you give me permission to be messy and real and own your story so fearlessly which gives me permission to do the same. Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for taking a deap dive into adhd and giving me the edited highlights. It’s helped me understand myself and my boy so much already. It has also helped me realise why I grew up walking on eggshells and in a mild state of permanent anxiety, living with someone with undiagnosed and untreated adhd. Time to forgive them too.
I’m sure I’ll think of more reasons I love your book as the days go by. But for now, thank you and well done, I am proud and grateful in equal measure.
My boy said “so does this mean that Jess is kind of famous?”. And of course I said “yes!”.
I love how you give me permission to be messy and real and own your story so fearlessly which gives me permission to do the same. Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for taking a deap dive into adhd and giving me the edited highlights. It’s helped me understand myself and my boy so much already. It has also helped me realise why I grew up walking on eggshells and in a mild state of permanent anxiety, living with someone with undiagnosed and untreated adhd. Time to forgive them too.
I’m sure I’ll think of more reasons I love your book as the days go by. But for now, thank you and well done, I am proud and grateful in equal measure.
My boy said “so does this mean that Jess is kind of famous?”. And of course I said “yes!”.
June 16, 2024
This book was gifted to me and I read it so easily & as though I was literally sitting having an “oh wow” or “lightbulb” moment with the author herself. It is so extremely relatable & everything seems to make such basic sense and yet the things that make sense are so mundane or “everyday” but we just don’t see it.
It is written as though we are “rowdy prisoners”. We grow up wild & free and with such an innocent outlook on life as kids. But as we get older, society, people, relationships, normal life & the situations we have to ordinarily go through shape us. But in doing so it also slowly chips away at our rowdiness, our uniqueness and our zest for life.
I found it not inspiring but definitely like a kick in the ass to get up, find my joy in life, to do what makes ME happy and put myself & my kids first. Throw caution to the wind, go out of your comfort zone, be inclusive of everyone, be open and welcoming & just allow yourself to be YOU.
It has little sections to make notes in. It’s like a self-help but not in any sort of textbook numbered form. I will definitely need to read it again though to remember the points. The table of contents is a good refresher too if ever needed.
It is written as though we are “rowdy prisoners”. We grow up wild & free and with such an innocent outlook on life as kids. But as we get older, society, people, relationships, normal life & the situations we have to ordinarily go through shape us. But in doing so it also slowly chips away at our rowdiness, our uniqueness and our zest for life.
I found it not inspiring but definitely like a kick in the ass to get up, find my joy in life, to do what makes ME happy and put myself & my kids first. Throw caution to the wind, go out of your comfort zone, be inclusive of everyone, be open and welcoming & just allow yourself to be YOU.
It has little sections to make notes in. It’s like a self-help but not in any sort of textbook numbered form. I will definitely need to read it again though to remember the points. The table of contents is a good refresher too if ever needed.
April 1, 2022
Hey Ms Jess Basson
Thank you for writing this book. I think there are so many adults who are suffering with adult ADHD. Your book not only opens up an important discussion about mental health in general, but your self-deprecating and humorous style makes the information so easy to digest.
I have already recommended others to get the book and have heard from them that it has helped them in a great way.
Thank you
Mark
Thank you for writing this book. I think there are so many adults who are suffering with adult ADHD. Your book not only opens up an important discussion about mental health in general, but your self-deprecating and humorous style makes the information so easy to digest.
I have already recommended others to get the book and have heard from them that it has helped them in a great way.
Thank you
Mark
March 29, 2022
Refreshing, humorous, real, honest, raw........and so funny. Empty cages had me laughing, crying and most importantly appreciating myself. Thank you Jess Basson for being real.
My advice is buy 2 copies. We all have a friend who needs this book.
Should be mandatory reading for teenagers, especially girls.
My advice is buy 2 copies. We all have a friend who needs this book.
Should be mandatory reading for teenagers, especially girls.
March 30, 2022
Jess’s story about living with ADHD is deeply personal & totally relate-able. Even as a person without ADHD but living with people with it, I found rich connection with Jess’s experiences. I laughed & wept & by the last quarter of the book I put it away for a few days as I didn’t want to face it ending. Recommended reading for humans!!!!
December 26, 2022
I loved this book. I loved how you opened yourself up to criticism and also how you could laugh at yourself. This book got me hard and made me think seriously about a lot of things in my life and most importantly made me realise that my adult son shares so many similarities and now I have an idea of the way forward with him.
March 29, 2022
Empty Cages is liberating and relatable! An excellent read that will have you leaning in, laughing out loud and shedding the odd tear or two!
A must-read for anyone juggling anything... actually, a must-read for anyone.
A must-read for anyone juggling anything... actually, a must-read for anyone.
April 3, 2022
I cannot even out into words how this booked has open my eyes and once and for all made me want to honour myself and put my mental health first. I thought I was doing okay, turns out I'm a mess, a beautiful brave mess. Jess, you are a gift!!!! Thank you! EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK!
March 29, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. Beautifully written and so relatable.
March 29, 2022
A wonderfully real, inspired and inspiring heart-changing read! You will want to share it after being blessed by its powerful message!
March 29, 2022
AMAZING BOOK
March 30, 2022
Phenomenal in every way, written with heart, humour and honesty. This book had me both laughing, crying and questioning in all the right ways!
April 14, 2022
This book gives the feeling of being curled up on a couch, sipping a coffee on a rainy day… it’s a treat to yourself.
It blessed my heart and ministered to my soul.
It blessed my heart and ministered to my soul.
April 29, 2022
Well written, funny yet touching memoir opening up a new topic, adult ADHD, very relevant to many people today. I recommend it!
May 5, 2022
A funny, heartfelt, honest book - thanks Jess for sharing your journey in a way that inspires others along theirs’ too!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews