Cleaning after depression is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of living with depression. When you have put all you have left of your energy and power into keeping your home clean, then suddenly you get a setback, only to come out of it to find everything you worked hard for back to square one.

Be careful of your expectations. You should know before you come out to join the family again what to expect. Too much expectations of your family. If you are the main one, doing everything and keeping the home running is not a good idea. 

Do not expect more than what you know from your family. Keep your expectations to the truth.

What to do;

1. Relax, live in the now. 
2. Take your time. You need time to think clearly. To get the full picture of what is in front of you. To silently put a plan to tackle the work. 
3. Make yourself use to what is there. Get used to the look of things, and as you do that, remember this is part of your life. Accept there will be more days like this in the future. This process will help you not only in your current situation, but in the future.
4. Accept the reality in front of you. Tell yourself the truth, be honest with yourself. 
5. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t get angry and stressed about what is happening. Don’t start thinking of yourself from a negative perspective. Avoid thinking of yourself as a slave, a servant, etc,. Be kind to yourself, take rest, relax, do something you like to keep you calm. Don’t worry about the mess, you will do it when you are ready for it. You and your health come first.
6. Think positive of yourself. When you think positive of yourself, you start to feel good and enlighten. Think of yourself as a great mum. A loving mum. Admit to yourself you love your children and you will do anything for them. Cleaning up their mess is just one of those things. 
7. Visualisation; visualisation has never failed me. And here is how you do it. In your mind, play a film of you as a great mum, a vintage housewife, living in a beautiful clean organised home, with happy children. Ask yourself what kind of mum you want to be, then play that role in your mind like a film. Visualise, visualise, visualise. Sit, relax, close your eyes and visualise all the good things and the happy things you want to happen to you. Create your ideal life in your mind. Visualisation is one of the most effective ways to live happily. The best way to ease any stresses.