Reset, Readjust, Restart, Refocus: Everyday Mental Wellness

Hello everyone! I realize it has been some time since we last discussed mental wellness, and if there’s anything I am truly passionate with, it’s advocating for our well-being. Let’s take a moment to reconnect and talk about ❝ Why We All Need a Reset Sometimes ❞. I’m here to share ideas and hear your thoughts!

I don’t know about you, but there have been plenty of mornings when I’ve stared at my to-do list and thought, Nope. Not today. The laundry pile is mocking me, the kids are asking for snacks they just had five minutes ago, and I can’t even remember the last time I drank my coffee while it was still hot.

Sound familiar?
Life has a funny way of piling up until it feels like too much. And that’s exactly when I find myself reaching for my invisible reset button. Sometimes it’s a literal pause—I’ll put everything down, step outside, and take a breath. Other times it’s something bigger, like reevaluating my entire schedule or habits.

Resetting doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re brave enough to admit when something isn’t working and compassionate enough to give yourself a fresh start.

The Power of Resetting

When we think of a ❝ reset, ❞ it’s easy to imagine wiping everything clean. But real-life resets aren’t about forgetting or erasing—they’re about choosing to start again, with wisdom from yesterday still in hand.

Think about when your phone freezes. You don’t throw it out, right? You restart it. The same logic applies to us.

Here’s how I reset when life feels too heavy:

» Step away from the chaos. Even 5 minutes away from the noise can help clear your mind.
» Breathe intentionally. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8.
» Write it out. A quick brain dump in a notebook helps me let go of mental clutter.
» Hydrate & nourish. Often, what feels like overwhelm is also dehydration or hunger. (I can’t be the only one who gets “hangry.”)

Readjust: Shifting Without Quitting

Resetting gives you a pause, but readjusting is where change happens.

I remember a time when I tried to “do it all”—work deadlines, school projects with my son, home organization, blogging, and still trying to squeeze in self-care. Guess what happened? Burnout.

Readjusting meant saying no to a few commitments and learning to delegate more at home. It also meant being realistic about what could actually fit into a single day. (Spoiler: it wasn’t everything.)

How to Readjust in Real Life:

» Prioritize ruthlessly. Not everything on your list is urgent. What must be done today?
» Set boundaries. Learn to say no without guilt—it’s a form of self-respect.
» Simplify routines. For example, I swapped my overcomplicated skincare for a minimalist routine that still makes me feel amazing.
» Check your expectations. Sometimes we’re overwhelmed because we’re holding ourselves to unrealistic standards.

Related: Self-Care Tips for Moms

Restart Without Shame

Can I let you in on a secret? I’ve restarted healthy habits so many times I’ve lost count. Exercise routines, journaling, meal planning—name it, I’ve restarted it. And for the longest time, I felt embarrassed about that.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Restarting doesn’t mean you failed—it means you refused to quit.

Every time you restart, you’re building resilience. You’re proving to yourself that you’re still in the game.

Here are some gentle reminders for when you restart:

» Don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty.
» Start small—one new habit at a time.
» Track progress in a way that feels rewarding (stickers, journals, or even a simple checkmark).
» Celebrate every win, even if it feels tiny.

Remember how babies fall dozens of times before walking? And we cheer them on every step? The Pressure to be “Less”.

Refocus: The Most Overlooked Step

Refocusing is where the magic really happens. Resetting helps you pause, readjusting sets new boundaries, restarting keeps you going—but refocusing ensures your energy is pointed in the right direction.

A few years ago, I was pouring so much of myself into being “productive” that I was missing the simple joys. I was checking off tasks but forgetting to enjoy my morning coffee, bedtime stories, or spontaneous playtime with my boys.

Refocusing meant asking myself: What actually matters most to me?

Try This Journaling Prompt:

» What do I want to feel more of in my daily life?
» What drains my energy the fastest?
» Which activities make me feel alive, calm, or joyful?

Related: Productive Day Rituals

Practical Ways to Practice Mental Wellness Daily

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to use these four steps. Here are some small but powerful daily practices:
» Morning Reset: Before checking your phone, take 2 minutes to breathe or stretch.
» Midday Readjust: Ask yourself—do I need a break, water, or food right now?
» Evening Restart: Let go of anything you didn’t finish today. Tomorrow is a new chance.
» Weekly Refocus: Take 15 minutes on Sunday to plan what matters most for the week.

Grounding Exercises for Stressful Moments

Sometimes life gets so overwhelming you feel disconnected. Here are a few grounding techniques I personally use:
» 5-4-3-2-1 Method: Identify 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
» Body Scan: Close your eyes and notice each part of your body from head to toe, relaxing as you go.
» Nature Reset: Step outside barefoot (if possible) and breathe deeply.

Gentle Reminder During Mental Health Awareness Month – Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let this be your reminder: caring for your mental wellness is not selfish. It’s survival. It’s strength.

If you’re struggling, please know there’s support. Resources like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and MentalHealth.gov are excellent places to start.

And if you simply need someone to say, “I get it”—you’re not alone here. This space is proof of that.

Final Thoughts!

If today feels heavy, maybe it’s time to reset. If your routines feel impossible, maybe it’s time to readjust. If you’ve fallen off track, it’s never too late to restart. And if you feel pulled in every direction, it’s time to pause and refocus.

Friend, I’m cheering for you—because I know how hard it is to keep pressing that reset button. But I also know how powerful it feels to stand back up again.

✨ Before you go, I’d love to hear from you: What’s your go-to way to reset when life gets overwhelming? Drop a comment below or follow me on instagram for encouragement, personal stories, and practical tips to nurture your mental wellness.