Walden
by Henry David Thoreau · Project Gutenberg
Thoreau's 1854 account of two years living in a cabin at Walden Pond. The opening chapter, Economy, reckons the true cost of possessions in hours of life and remains the founding text of simple living. Free Gutenberg edition.
More resources on Minimalism & Intentional Living
Stuff
Paul Graham's 2007 essay on why, once goods became cheap, accumulating possessions turned from building wealth into a drain on attention, space and freedom, and how he learned to stop buying things he did not need.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
Oliver Burkeman argues that a finite lifespan of about four thousand weeks makes doing everything impossible, and draws on philosophers from Seneca to Heidegger to explain why accepting limits and choosing deliberately leads to a more meaningful life. Supplies the modern philosophical 'why' of intentional living (limits, choice, meaning).
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
Georgetown computer scientist Cal Newport defines digital minimalism as a philosophy of technology use and sets out a 30-day digital declutter, followed by practices for solitude, high-quality leisure and deliberate use of social media. Only resource needed for the digital half of the topic; gives a concrete, testable protocol rather than tips.