Preparedness
Prepping’s Peace of Mind in a Chaotic World
Reflecting on the past few years, it’s clear that the world has been through a whirlwind of challenges, with both human-induced and natural disasters regularly making headlines. The onset of the pandemic saw people scrambling for essentials, leading to chaotic scenes of panic buying. This surge in demand was a wake-up call for many, but for those of us who have embraced the prepper lifestyle, it was a moment of validation.
Being a prepper offers a profound sense of peace. When the world around you is in chaos, knowing that your family is secure and provided for is invaluable. It allows you to sidestep the frenzy of panic-stricken crowds vying for the last roll of toilet paper or bottle of hand sanitizer.
Adopting a prepper mindset is fundamentally about self-reliance. It is empowering to equip your family with essential survival skills, from the basics like changing a tire to more crucial skills such as finding water or starting a fire.
Moreover, being prepared offers the chance to support others. In emergencies, you might be the only one with a flashlight during a blackout or a multi-tool to fix a problem. Your first aid skills could be the difference between life and death, and your situational awareness might guide others away from danger.
Living with a preparedness mindset also helps in managing anxiety and enhances your ability to navigate challenging situations. Many people are familiar with the ‘fight or flight’ response, but there’s a third: “Fight, Flight or Freeze.” Unfortunately, overwhelming anxiety can cause some to freeze, unable to act even when prompted. However, with practice and knowledge of basic survival skills, the likelihood of freezing is significantly reduced.
Being prepared means you are less of a burden on societal systems during crises. If more individuals were equipped to sustain themselves for even a short period, such as 30 days, it would alleviate the pressure on resources and services, ensuring that those truly in need receive help more swiftly.
Lastly, prepping aligns with environmentally friendly practices. While not necessarily an environmentalist, I value a healthy ecosystem. I want the rivers and lakes to yield fish that are safe for my family to eat and the water from my well to be free from contaminants. A thriving wilderness is essential for a balanced ecosystem.
Regardless of when you began your prepping journey, every skill you acquire and every resource you set aside contributes to a more secure future. As we look ahead, being prepared is something to be genuinely thankful for.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.