As a beatmaker, we often encounter a constant stream of new plugins, apps, and gear. With every new release, sale, or glowing review, it’s easy to think, “This will help me make better music,” or “I need this tool to stay competitive.” However, before you know it, you may find yourself buried in unused gear, apps, and plugins, which can slowly drain your creativity and motivation rather than enhancing them.
I went through a phase where I was living surrounded by things I didn’t truly need. My devices were packed with free VST plugins I had downloaded on a whim and iOS apps I’d bought during sales but never opened. Eventually, I made a significant decision to let go of all the excess. As a result, I rediscovered my focus on what I actually wanted to achieve in music. Here’s my story, and why I believe decluttering is crucial for any creative person, especially beatmakers.
Table of Contents
The “I Bought It, So I Should Use It” Trap
It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling obligated to use everything you’ve acquired. Every piece of software, every plugin, and every bit of gear seems to silently demand, “You bought me, so you should use me.” For a long time, I felt this way. I’d look at the countless apps cluttering my iPad or the plugins I had barely opened on my computer, feeling a strange sense of guilt. I would think, “I spent money on this; I should make it work.”
But ironically, it’s often the things we feel guilty about not using that we don’t end up using at all. We try to convince ourselves, “I’ll find a use for it someday,” and continue carrying the mental weight of all these items. However, I began to notice something: the more I clung to unused items and kept telling myself I had to use them, the more frustration I felt. My creative space became cluttered, not just physically but mentally, and that clutter started to wear on me.
Decluttering as a Way of Facing Myself
One day, I decided to take a hard look at all the things I owned and let go of the items that weren’t genuinely serving me. The moment I did, something remarkable happened: the stress I’d been feeling for so long just vanished. It wasn’t just about having a tidier workspace; I realized that the underlying stress came from not being honest with myself. I hadn’t wanted to admit that I simply wasn’t going to use a lot of these things. Decluttering gave me a chance to face myself honestly and accept, “I don’t need these things, and that’s okay.”
When I finally admitted, “I’m not going to use this,” I felt liberated. Letting go of those items removed the guilt, the unnecessary pressure, and the distraction, leaving me with a clear mind and a renewed focus on the tools and projects that actually mattered to me.
Rediscovering Purpose: When Collecting Becomes the Goal
At one point, I realized I’d become more of a plugin and app collector than a beatmaker. Every new release or sale pulled me into a cycle of buying, downloading, and experimenting, all in the name of “better beats.” But the truth was, I was no longer creating music — I was just accumulating tools. This realization hit me hard, but it was also the wake-up call I needed.
Once I purged my setup and kept only the tools I genuinely valued, my perspective shifted. With fewer distractions, I naturally gravitated back to my original goal: making music. I remembered why I got into beatmaking in the first place. The tools I retained became extensions of my creativity, not burdens I felt obligated to use.
Choosing What Really Matters
One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of being selective. When you’re intentional about the tools you keep, each one becomes more valuable to you, and you can build a deeper understanding and mastery of how to use it. In turn, this can spark more creativity and produce better results in your work.
For a beatmaker, the process of creating music relies on both technical skill and artistic vision. The tools and gear you choose to keep play a big part in that process, but their real value lies in how well they help you execute your ideas. Surrounding yourself with only what you truly need will help you stay focused, creative, and clear-headed.
Final Thoughts: Declutter Your Mind, Rediscover Your Music
In the world of music production, tools and gear are essential partners. But too much clutter, both physical and mental, can obscure the path to achieving your true goals. It’s tempting to chase every new release or buy the latest “game-changing” plugin, but sometimes the best step forward is to pause, reflect, and let go of what doesn’t serve your purpose.
By decluttering, you not only free up your space but also reconnect with what drives you. I encourage every beatmaker to try this — clear out the things you don’t genuinely need, and watch how it reignites your passion and energy for your craft. Decluttering isn’t just about organization; it’s a powerful way to strip away distractions and return to the heart of why you create in the first place.
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