What does “Rediscovering Joy” really look like when you’re burnt out?

I didn’t realise I was burnt out… until joy disappeared.

I was working, raising my boys, showing up for everyone around me — yet I had nothing left for myself.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

In this article, I want to share my journey from burnout to rediscovering joy — and the small, gentle steps that made a surprisingly big difference.

It starts smaller than you think.

When joy quietly slips away

For a long time, I was “coping” on the outside.

I was working in a high‑level accountancy role while raising two boys on my own. I delivered. I showed up. I kept going.

But on the inside, I was exhausted.

And joy? That felt like something I simply didn’t have time for anymore.

So… what does rediscovering Joy actually look like?

When you’re burnt out, “finding joy” can feel unrealistic — even irritating.

But in my experience, it doesn’t start with a dramatic life change.It doesn’t require stepping away from everything.

It begins with something much simpler — and often overlooked.

✨ Giving yourself permission to pauseNot every moment needs to be productive.

✨ Reconnecting with who you are beyond your rolesNot just the leader, the professional, or the caregiver — but you.

✨ Letting go of the pressure to always be “on”Allowing space to feel, rest, and breathe.

✨ Creating small moments that gently lift your moodEven a smile can begin to shift how you feel inside.

Where It Began for Me

At one of my lowest points, I realised I needed something simple and accessible — something I could do in the middle of a busy day.

That’s when One Minute Smilence was born.

Just one minute to:

• Smile

• Breathe

• Think of someone or something that brings warmth

It may sound small, but it became a powerful reset — a way to gently step out of survival mode.

From a moment… to a movement

That one‑minute practice grew into something much bigger.

I went on to create my Escape to Happiness Island workshops, along with a self‑help book and a song — all designed to help people take a mental “holiday” from stress and reconnect with joy.

Not by escaping responsibilities…But by finding calm and clarity within daily life.

A gentle reminder

If you’re feeling burnt out right now:

You don’t need all the answers.You don’t need to make a big change overnight.

Start small.Take one minute.

Because sometimes, rediscovering joy doesn’t begin with a major decision…

It begins with a small, intentional pause.

If this resonates with you

I regularly share simple tools and deliver wellbeing sessions to help individuals and teams step out of burnout and reconnect with themselves.

If you’re curious, feel free to reach out or explore how Escape to Happiness Island could support you — or your organisation