Last December in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, the Serenity Sleepover, convened by therapist and mindset coach Dr Ebunlomo Fawole through her wellness platform The Lavender Haven, brought together women seeking clarity, rest, and emotional grounding as they approached the close of 2025. Designed as an intimate retreat rather than a conventional event, the experience centred on creating a psychologically safe environment where participants could pause, reflect, and prepare intentionally for the year ahead.
Dr Fawole, who works as a guidance counsellor, divorce recovery therapist, and lead therapist at Sunshine Hub, structured the retreat around practical tools drawn from both therapeutic practice and coaching frameworks. Sessions addressed how individuals recognise emotional signals, manage stress responses, and interpret periods of uncertainty. The programme emphasised the idea that feelings often provide information that can guide decision making, particularly during periods of personal or professional change.
Participants took part in facilitated activities that included reflective painting exercises, breathing sessions, and group discussions. The creative sessions allowed attendees to explore personal themes in a non-clinical setting, while the guided breathing and meditation segments focused on nervous system regulation and grounding techniques. According to organisers, the intention was to equip attendees with strategies they could apply beyond the retreat environment.
A key segment of the evening featured a guest sharing a personal story that opened a moderated conversation on resilience, self-awareness, and growth. Discussions also explored the concept of feeling “stuck” as a possible signal to pause and reassess priorities rather than as a failure. Facilitators encouraged participants to consider how presence and mindful awareness can support emotional balance in everyday life.
As conversations around mental health gain momentum in Nigeria’s professional and social spaces, initiatives such as the Serenity Sleepover reflect a growing demand for community-based support models tailored to women’s experiences. Through The Lavender Haven, Dr Fawole continues to build programmes that create structured environments for dialogue, reflection, and psychological wellbeing, positioning her work within a broader movement to normalise mental health care and intentional self-development.
