Newcastle Jets defender Ljubo Milicevic admits he has found a more positive balance since joining the club.

The 29-year old is into his second season with the Jets after a tumultuous spell with Melbourne Victory following his career in Switzerland and after battling depression for the past few years, feels he is in a good place at the moment.

"I wasn't myself and I guess it was pretty obvious," Milicevic told 90 Minutes in his first major interview in almost a year.

"There was a build-up of a lot of different things that were happening in my personal life away from football.

"It is one of those things where you just have to be really aware of your body, your energy levels and so forth.

"I probably pushed myself too hard at certain stages. I was just too full-on all the time.

"If anyone lived in my shoes they would have been amazed at what I was doing. Not a party life but a lack of sleep, training really hard and training constantly. Not having that balance I suppose.

"This year I do have that balance.

"I am doing other things like surfing. I still read a lot and love my music. I guess away from football I am a bit more relaxed.

"Last year it became all too serious. When that happens it is not a good sign for me."

Milicevic is well aware that he has to be careful with his illness but for the time being, he is in a very good space.

"It is an illness and people probably underestimate it," he added.

"Anyone who has been through depression knows it can resurface at different times and I guess it will in my life.

"This is my first time on the planet called earth and I am learning as I go. I don't have the answers and don't pretend to.

"But I know I love football, I love my family, my mates and I love life."