Preparedness
Discover the Unexpected Joys of Being a Prepper
Reflecting on recent years, it’s clear that being a prepper has offered me a sense of gratitude and peace of mind that many may not experience. The world has faced its fair share of challenges, with disasters—both natural and man-made—making headlines frequently. The rush to stock up on essentials during lockdowns highlighted the importance of being prepared. People scrambled for items like hand sanitizer and toilet paper, leading to a surge in demand for preparedness companies.
This situation underscored a significant advantage of being a prepper: peace of mind. When chaos ensues, knowing that your family is secure and you don’t have to join the frantic crowds is invaluable. Being a prepper means embracing self-reliance in all aspects of life. There’s a unique empowerment in knowing that your family possesses basic survival skills, whether it’s changing a tire, finding water, or starting a fire.
Moreover, preppers have the opportunity to assist others. In a blackout, you might be the only one with a flashlight, or the person with the necessary multi-tool to fix something. Your first aid skills could save a life, and your situational awareness might help avoid danger.
Self-reliance also reduces anxiety and enhances problem-solving skills. While many are familiar with the ‘fight or flight’ response, there’s a third: “Fight, Flight, or Freeze.” Unfortunately, anxiety can cause some to freeze. However, practicing basic skills makes it less likely for preppers to freeze, or if they do, it’s only momentarily.
Living a prepared lifestyle means being less of a burden during crises. If more people were ready for even short durations, there would be fewer store shortages and fewer people needing rescue, allowing faster aid to those truly in need.
Additionally, prepping aligns with environmental consciousness. While I don’t consider myself an environmentalist, I do value a healthy ecosystem. I want clean rivers and lakes for fishing, uncontaminated well water, and a thriving wilderness.
Regardless of when you began your prepping journey, every skill learned and item stored contributes to better preparedness for the future. It’s a lifestyle choice that offers much to be thankful for.
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