The Reset: My Journey to Healing After Burnout and Depression

The last six months have brought some of the biggest challenges of my life.

In May, I was diagnosed with depression and started on antidepressants. I pushed through the side effects while trying to keep up with work, motherhood, and everything else family life demands.

I completed six weeks of CBT for stress management, which helped in the moment — but like many mums, I've struggled to find the time to actually do the things that were meant to help.

Then came August and September — a blur of illness, chaos, and exhaustion. I could feel myself slipping towards burnout again.

Thankfully, this time I recognised the signs. I went back to my GP and took a step back from work to rest, recover, and rebuild.

Learning to Slow Down

The past few weeks have been about permission — allowing myself to slow down, listen to my body, and take care of my mental health.

Medication helps, but I’ve realised I can’t rely on it alone. Healing takes habits, connection, and small, intentional steps.

So, I’ve started to pick back up the routines that once grounded me.

Moving My Body Again

Last Monday, I got outside. I ran around Delamere with my family and a friend, and I tried a new exercise class — because as Elle Woods said, “Exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy.”

Running has become a pillar in my mental health journey.

It started from a place of fear — I saw a story about a mum who had to run carrying her children to escape danger, and I realised I couldn’t even run for a minute. I wanted to change that.

Over time, running became my reset button.

A friend once said that the calm he feels while running is probably what people feel when they pray — a moment of peace, presence, and gratitude. That really resonated with me.

Going forward, I’m planning to run twice a week, with strength and stretching in between to keep my body happy.

🏃‍♀️ Related reading soon: [Why I Run — Finding Calm and Confidence One Mile at a Time]

Getting Organised Again

At the start of the month, I reset our meal planning.

The every-other-week plan wasn’t working anymore — I just didn’t have the time or energy. So, I’ve gone back to monthly planning instead.

I spent an afternoon reorganising our freezer, taking stock of what we had, and building a meal plan using ChatGPT (because we might as well use the tools that lighten the mental load!).

I also set up shared lists with my husband using the AnyList app — for meal plans, shopping, and house projects. It’s a small thing, but it feels so good to finally be on the same page.

🥘 You might also like: [Meal Planning Without the Overwhelm — Simplifying Life as a Mum of Two]

Rebuilding My Morning Routine

This morning, for the first time in months, I woke up before the kids.

I journaled, planned my day, and meditated. It felt like a small but powerful step back towards myself.

As the month goes on, I’m planning to rebuild other habits too — ones that make home life calmer and help me protect my energy.

Over to You 💭

What habits help you feel more like yourself?

Which routines make life run smoother for your family? I’d love to hear — because rebuilding isn’t about perfection. It’s about community, support, and taking one small step at a time.

If this post resonated, I’d love to have you with me for the rest of The Reset Series. You can follow along on Instagram @julianneats1 for more honest chats about motherhood and mental health. 💛

Julia xxx