When choosing tool(i.e. pocket knife)->(a)pply, game goes to inventory. Would be really helpful to also see items on the ground at this point. Or even better, going to advanced inventory so that one does not have to pick up every sheet one wants to shred.
Would be nice I guess, if when you went into the main inventory, there was a “On the Ground” area.
Ya know, like theres “Tools” “Worn” “Medicine” etc?
If it just had a “On the ground” and showed what was down there. That way, if you were standing on something, you could interact with it like you said, even just pick it up and wear it right from that screen.