Spring Cleaning for Your Career: Free Up Space for What Matters Now

As the days grow longer and the air shifts, many of us feel the pull to open windows, clear out corners, and freshen up our physical spaces.

But your career—and your mindset—might need some spring cleaning too.

Not to toss everything out. Not to start over.

But to make space.

To gently take stock of what’s been piling up—mentally, emotionally, energetically—and ask:

What’s still serving me? And what might be quietly getting in the way?

Not All Clutter Is Physical

Sometimes we carry beliefs, habits, or responsibilities that once felt important. Over time, though, they can begin to clutter our thinking. They make it harder to move forward with clarity or calm.

What have you been holding onto in your career that no longer fits your current season of life?

• A tendency to say yes even when you’re overwhelmed?

• A belief that success has to come through struggle?

• An identity tied to a role you’ve outgrown—but feel reluctant to change?

• A fear that if you stop overworking, you’ll lose your edge?

What Might You Be Holding Onto?

These patterns often show up as burnout. According to Gallup, burnout isn’t just caused by long hours—it’s often rooted in things like unclear expectations, lack of support, and chronic unfairness at work.(Source: Gallup – Employee Burnout: Causes and Cures) https://www.gallup.com/workplace/237059/employee-burnout-part-main-causes.aspx

This kind of clutter isn’t as visible as an overstuffed drawer—but it’s just as heavy.

And while it might feel safer to keep everything “just in case,” it leaves little room for new ideas, new energy, or new growth.

You Don’t Have to Start Over

Letting go doesn’t mean tossing everything out.

It means being intentional about what you keep—and why.

So ask yourself:

• What parts of my mindset feel like they’re on autopilot?

• What am I saying yes to out of guilt, not alignment?

• What outdated goals am I still measuring myself against?

• Where could I use more breathing room in my career?

You don’t have to quit your job.

You don’t have to change everything.

Reflection Creates Room for Growth

Sometimes the shift begins with a new boundary.

A reframed narrative.

A decision to stop trying to be everything to everyone.

Making that kind of space—mentally and emotionally—can increase your sense of clarity, strengthen resilience, and lead to healthier decisions. As Harvard Business Review explains, reflection and self-awareness are key to building lasting resilience, especially during times of uncertainty and transition.

(Source: HBR – Building Your Resilience – https://hbr.org/2020/01/building-resilience)

And you don’t have to figure it all out alone. According to McKinsey & Company, nearly 70% of people who experience purpose at work say they find it through connection and community—not by muscling through in isolation.

(Source: McKinsey – People and Purpose at Work – https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/purpose/people-and-purpose-how-having-a-purpose-drives-impact-and-affects-your-workplace)

What Could You Make Space For?

When you clear even a little space, you invite something in:

Fresh learning. Deeper growth. A better connection to what you truly want.

And if you’re wondering whether mindset shifts actually make a difference, the answer is yes. Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on the growth mindset shows that people who believe they can evolve are more likely to stay motivated, bounce back from setbacks, and create meaningful change in their careers.

(Source: APA – Growth Mindset – https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/11/growth-mindset)

Take the Next Step Toward Clarity

This spring, what if you created more space for your present—and your future?

For joy. For clarity. For experiments. For learning.

For the version of you that’s still becoming.

And if that idea resonates, I invite you to take one small, meaningful step:

Join me for the Career Clarity Masterclass.

It’s a guided space to reflect, reset, and start clearing the mental and emotional clutter that’s been holding you back.

You’ll come away with practical tools—and a renewed sense of direction.

Sign up here: https://www.ericamattison.com/career-clarity-masterclass

About the Author

Erica Mattison (MPA, JD, CCSP) is Founder and CEO of Erica Mattison Coaching & Consulting LLC. She is a Certified Career Coach and Master Certified Life Coach, who specializes in supporting purpose-driven professionals to create their dream careers and lead with maximum impact. She is the author of Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career. Erica leads workshops and provides executive coaching for purpose-driven organizations across sectors. She is based in Boston, MA and supports clients throughout North America.