Seeking advice: Bounce back from poor career choice?!

Dear fellow monkeys,

I know this is about consulting and not IB, but that shouldn't make a huge difference. I studied at a target school and achieved an almost perfect GPA. Throughout my studies, I focused solely on grades and optimal career opportunities, grinding very hard for it. I had several internships with my very first one being in a large corporate, and then it became more consulting-specific.

After graduating, I joined MBB, but unfortunately developed mental health issues after a few months, partly stemming from childhood traumas. As a result, I didn't perform my best, but I still managed to impress on some projects. After a year, I quit to focus more on my mental health before continuing in this job, as I felt I couldn't care for it while working there. Looking back, I see things differently, but it's hard to be rational when caught in such a horrible spiral of thoughts. Through contacts, I returned to the corporation where I had my first internship – even though it was more running away than a step forward. I now earn the same salary as I did at MBB, but I work a standard 9-5 job which is an outstanding deal overall (I am aware of thatI. However, my job is very operational, ultimately boring, not challenging, and I see no future in it, especially since I can't imagine staying in this industry in the long-run.

In recent months, I've dealt with my mental health and am convinced that I won't go through such a phase again, or at least I'd have the right tools to cope.

A problem with my start in consulting was also that it was always the goal during my studies, and I had a clear path to work towards it. Once I was in, I felt I had no future goals for motivation. From my current perspective, I had a foolish attitude and understood too late that I should do the job because I enjoy it and find it challenging – not just for the money.

My plan is as follows now: I'll complete a year in my current job and then I do everything to return to consulting. I know I can't go back to my previous firm, as I didn't perform well on a project (due to my mental issues), which would be a hurdle. Therefore, I plan to apply to the other two MBBs and Tier 2 consulting firms.

I know that I need a convincing story in my cover letter and interviews about why I left consulting after a year and now want to return. How would you communicate this best and possibly present it even positively? Also, I'd prefer not to work only on projects in the industry of my current company. Is there a sensible reason for this – wouldn't I be "throwing away" acquired knowledge and make myself way less competitive for recruiting?

Do you have any thoughts or comments on my situation and plan?

Thank you!