Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.

For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.

When Bread Bags Weren’t Funny | Bloomberg View by Megan McArdle. Perspective.

My Low-Income Lifestyle | Frugaling by Sam Lustgarten. I wanted to show people that I could “afford” to treat, spend, and enjoy. Unfortunately, it was all a mirage.

Why the Modern World is Bad for your Brain | The Guardian by Daniel J. Levitin. A neuroscientist explains how our addiction to technology is making us less efficient

The Minimalism Effect: Three Noticeable Results While Getting Rid of Stuff | Break the Twitch by Anthony Ongaro. The process of minimizing our things is best described as ‘being relieved of a tension we didn’t know we had.’

Why a Messy Workspace Undermines Your Persistence | Harvard Business Review by Boyoun Chae and Rui Zhu. Measuring the impact of mess.