How Decluttering Boosts Creativity – Lessons from GoodBuy, Things!
- ERAdemics Research Team
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Jamie Reed, ERAdemics Research Team Tech & Digital Growth Contributor
For creators—freelancers, digital artists, bloggers, and content makers—creativity thrives on space: physical space to work, mental space to ideate, and emotional space to create without overwhelm. Yet most of us are drowning in clutter: piles of unused supplies on our desks, 100+ open browser tabs, and closets stuffed with "maybe someday" gear. We buy more tools, more courses, more "productivity hacks" hoping to spark inspiration—only to feel more stuck.
That’s where Fan Xi Yu’s book GoodBuy, Things!: A Spiritual Journey to Simplify Your Life comes in. Unlike generic tidying guides, this research-backed read merges neuroscience, psychology, and ancient wisdom to prove that decluttering isn’t just about organizing—its about unlocking creative freedom. Fan’s personal journey (from buried under possessions to living a liberated life) and 5 years of research reveal: clutter poisons focus, drains energy, and blocks spiritual growth—all of which are creative killers.
Below are 4 creator-specific lessons from the book to declutter your life and boost creativity.
1. Declutter Your Physical Workspace – Create a "Creative Sanctuary"
Fan writes in GoodBuy, Things! that "your workspace is a reflection of your mind—chaotic space = chaotic ideas." For creators, a cluttered desk (piles of paper, unused gadgets, random supplies) doesn’t just waste time—it triggers decision fatigue and stifles inspiration.
Creator Action (From the Book): The "3-Question Declutter Test" for your workspace:
Have I used this item in the past 3 months?
Does it spark joy or serve a critical creative purpose?
Would I buy it again today?
If the answer to any is "no," donate, sell, or recycle it. Keep only what fits your "creative core" (e.g., your favorite laptop, go-to art supplies, a plant for calm).
Result: A freelance graphic designer used this test to clear 70% of her desk—she reported finishing projects 30% faster and having fewer creative blocks.
Book Tie-In: "Creators don’t need more tools—they need space to use the ones they love," Fan explains. "Decluttering isn’t deprivation; it’s curation for creativity."
2. Declutter Your Digital Life – Free Your Mind from Digital Chaos
Digital clutter (unorganized files, 1000+ unread emails, endless app notifications) is just as toxic as physical clutter—especially for creators who rely on digital tools to work.
Creator Action (From the Book): The "Digital Minimalism Framework":
Files: Delete or archive 50% of your unused project files (use cloud storage to keep only current work accessible).
Apps: Uninstall tools you haven’t used in 2 months (stick to 3–5 core apps for your workflow: e.g., Canva, Notion, Adobe Creative Cloud).
Notifications: Turn off non-essential alerts (social media, email, marketing apps)—schedule 2x daily "check-in times" instead.
Book Insight: "Digital clutter pulls your attention in 10 directions at once," Fan writes. "Creativity needs focus—and focus needs calm."
Pro Tip: Pair this with Era-zine’s "Digital Organization for Creators" guide to streamline your workflow further.
3. Declutter Your "Creative Consumption" – Stop Buying More, Start Creating More
Creators are bombarded with ads for "must-have" tools, courses, and gear—we buy them hoping to "level up," only to feel more overwhelmed (and broke). Fan’s book exposes the marketing tactics that manipulate us into this cycle.
Creator Action (From the Book): The "Intentional Buying Pause":
When you want to buy a new creative tool (e.g., a course, plugin, or camera lens), wait 72 hours. Ask yourself:
Do I already have something that does this job?
Will this tool solve a specific creative problem I’m facing— or am I buying it out of FOMO?
Can I borrow, rent, or use a free alternative first?
Result: A freelance writer used this pause to skip buying a $200 "blogging course"—instead, she focused on using the tools she already had. She published 2x more content and saved enough to invest in a high-quality microphone (a tool that truly boosted her work).
Book Tie-In: "Consumerism trains us to believe ‘more = better,’ but creativity thrives on intentionality," Fan notes. "The best creators don’t have more tools—they use their tools better."
4. Declutter Your Mind – Let Go of "Creative Guilt"
Clutter isn’t just physical or digital—it’s emotional. Creators often carry guilt: unfinished projects, "not good enough" work, and the pressure to "hustle harder." Fan’s book frames this as "mental clutter" that blocks spiritual peace—and creative flow.
Creator Action (From the Book): The "Mental Declutter Ritual":
Write down all your creative "shoulds" (e.g., "I should post on social media daily," "I should master 10 design tools").
Cross out any that don’t align with your values or creative goals.
Replace the rest with "intentional choices" (e.g., "I choose to post 2x weekly with high-quality content," "I choose to master 1–2 tools deeply").
Book Insight: "Mental clutter is the biggest creative block," Fan writes. "When you let go of what others expect of you, you make space for what you’re meant to create."
Closing
For creators, GoodBuy, Things! isn’t just a decluttering guide—it’s a creative manifesto. By letting go of physical clutter, digital chaos, mindless consumption, and mental guilt, you unlock the space, focus, and energy to create work that matters. Fan’s research proves what many successful creators intuitively know: simplicity isn’t about having less—it’s about having more of what counts: time, focus, and creative freedom.
As Fan writes: "The greatest creative tool isn’t a new plugin or course—it’s a clear mind and a clutter-free life." For creators feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uninspired, decluttering isn’t just a chore—it’s a spiritual practice that reignites your creative spark.
Editor’s Note: Fan Xi Yu is the author of GoodBuy, Things! and a mindfulness practitioner with 5 years of research into consumerism and spiritual well-being. This article is editorial content and does not promote any INPress products. All financial strategies carry personal risk—adjust to your unique situation.
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