3 min read
On Sunday, 1 November, seven of us spread out our blankets at Area 10 Dam in Lilongwe and spent the afternoon talking, listening and taking a break from our everyday routines.
- When
- Sunday, 1 November 2026, 2pm to 5pm
- Where
- Area 10 Dam, Lilongwe
- Who
- Seven people, including the organising team
Life Lately is an outdoor mental wellness and reflection session from Rugare, designed as a relaxed and welcoming space for young people to connect, share experiences and check in on their wellbeing. This one took its lead from the 2026 World Mental Health Day theme, Lived Experiences: Real Stories, Real Change.
We were a small group, and those who came made the day meaningful. There was room for genuine connection, honest conversation and time to think.
Getting to know one another
Grace Tapel Mwasi, our Programs Lead, opened the afternoon by inviting everyone to share two things about themselves. Then came the fun part: each person had to remember what someone else had shared. The icebreaker got everyone listening closely and helped the group ease into the day.
How our stories shape us
Next, Nikiwe Mtema, our Executive Director, led a conversation on lived experience: how the things we go through shape the way we see and navigate the world, our mental wellbeing and our interactions with others.
We talked about practising grace, being mindful of how we respond to other people's experiences, and creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves. We also talked about extending that same understanding to ourselves. The discussion was open and interactive, with questions and contributions from across the group.
Everyone was encouraged not to be afraid of sharing their stories, the comfortable parts as well as the more difficult ones.
Your story, including the difficult parts, might help someone else feel understood or less alone.
Time to reflect
Grace then led a personal reflection, giving everyone time to think more intentionally about their lives and wellbeing and to write their thoughts on paper.
Everyone then shared the parts they felt comfortable discussing. People listened, asked questions, offered different perspectives and encouraged one another. This honest, supportive conversation was one of the highlights of the day.
Colouring as a way to slow down
Alongside the reflection, we coloured in mental health-themed illustrations carrying messages such as "Self-care is important". It was a simple grounding exercise and a chance to relax, be creative and enjoy the moment. We also took pictures together to hold on to the memories.
A theme that kept coming up: work
As people shared their reflections, one thing stood out: many of the challenges were the same, particularly around the workplace. Common ones included:
- Toxic and unhealthy working environments
- Managing work-life balance
- Setting and keeping boundaries at work
- Workplace gaslighting and its effect on confidence and wellbeing
Workplace mental health clearly deserves a longer conversation. We are considering a future webinar or in-person session to unpack these experiences and talk through practical ways of navigating them. In the meantime, you can read about our workplace wellness work.
What we are taking with us
Life Lately showed us the value of informal spaces where young people can connect and talk meaningfully, without the pressure of a formal workshop.
It was a beautiful day of connection, reflection and shared experiences, and a reminder of what can happen when we simply create room for people to connect, feel heard and take a little time for themselves.
If something in this story resonates with you, you do not have to carry it alone. Rugare offers confidential counselling, online or in person.