How a ‘cycle of destruction’ inspired Rebecca Keevers to begin sleepwear line, Sleep Fearlessly

Rebecca Keevers had a “volatile childhood” that fuelled 30 years of substance abuse. Now in year two of her sobriety journey, the SA woman is inspiring change through sleepwear.

Rebecca Keevers wished she could bottle up the strength she found to get sober and hand it out on the street to “anyone that needed it” – instead she founded an innovative sleepwear line printed with affirmations to inspire the wearer.

“It really works,” said the 49-year-old, from Woodville South, who is celebrating two years of sobriety.

Ms Keever's pyjama brand, Sleep Fearlessly, prints affirmations in reverse so when the wearer looks in the mirror, they can read the text.

“I wanted something that I could actually look in the mirror and say to myself – you are strong, you are enough,” she said.

“It’s really hard to do that – look at yourself when you’ve hated yourself for so long.”

A brave Rebecca Keevers in one of her inspiring sleepwear designs. Picture: Emma Brasier

A “volatile childhood” and life filled with domestic violence and sexual assault led Ms Keevers down a devastating path of substance abuse.

She began drinking at 15, using drugs at 18, she’d disappear for days on end, putting herself in “very dangerous situations” and leaving friends and family searching the streets for her.

“It’s quite heartbreaking when I think about it, the trauma that you put everyone else through,” she said.

“I kind of got the stage where I didn’t care whether I woke up or not,” she said.

It was then, after about 30 years of abusing substances, that Ms Keevers decided she was done; she was in her late 40s.

“I just got sick of the cycle of self destruction.”

Her mother and younger sister had become sober, inspiring her to do the same.

At the beginning of her journey, in the first year of getting sober, Ms Keevers “retreated” and spent most of her time at home.

“I just started looking for some sleepwear with an affirmation on it just to make me feel a little bit better about being home all the time and the change I’d made,” she said.

When she came up short, she thought she’d make a pair for herself.

“That kind of led, very quickly, to, if I’m feeling like this, there may be lots of other people feeling like this, so why don’t I make some for everybody?”

Sleep Fearlessly was born and now is for sale online.

Ranging in sizes XS to XXL, Ms Keevers sells pyjamas for men, women and kids in 11 different styles.

She is hosting a fashion show where models who’ve experienced domestic or sexual violence, cancer and addiction walk the catwalk towards a mirror and read their sleepwear’s affirmation out loud.

“The purpose is to bring people together,” Ms Keevers said.

The show at Findon’s Cucina by Liquid is on February 18, with tickets on sale at Eventbrite.