All over the world, the Prepper movement is getting a serious second look.
What started as a prime-time laugh fest featuring fringe lunatics and clipping reasonable people to make them look crazy, has become a way of life that looks oddly appealing after 2020.
As a prepper for over a decade and a man who makes his living in the prepping world, I have come to realize that while there are massive benefits to living a life of self-reliance and independence there are also some ugly parts.
There is some very real bliss in ignorance. You forfeit that when you become a prepper.
Here are some of the things that I hate about being a prepper.
I Hate Hiding This Part Of My Life
The thing I hate most about being a prepper is that there are parts of my life that I must hide from others. This has become less and less a reality for me but for years I only mentioned my prepping to very few people.
Related: 5 Things You Should Never Do As A Prepper
As my stockpiles, skills, and experience grew it became even harder to keep this whole prepping side of my life under wraps.
The more I learned about the world around me the more I had to steel myself against the prying questions of people at work and in my life.
At times it can feel like living a double life. You see prepping is not just something I do throughout the week. It is literally my profession.
So, I am always aware of who I am talking to and how I answer the question “What do you do for a living?”. All the OPSEC is daunting.
I Hate Being Judged
We face judgement as people who prepare and of course being apart of a prepper at large.
Despite all that has happened over the last 3 years people still look at preppers as fringe individuals that are paranoid, scared, and potentially dangerous.
Not to mention the many religious and political assumptions made about preppers, too!
Related: Things You Should Never Say To A Prepper
What I have noticed lately is that people don’t actually know how to react to preppers anymore. I think that is because many are considering getting deeper into the whole idea of self-reliance and independence.
I Hate Convincing People
There are people close to us all who get it but just don’t get it enough.
They know things are bad, but they will not look over the edge to see just how far the abyss goes. They will not give themselves over to prepping and survival.
I hate finding myself in the position where I am convincing someone that they need to prep.
I hate going down the ever-growing list of reasons that people should be prepping and time and time again they just turn down the idea.
It feels good to change them, but it is tough when they walk away still unprepared.
I Hate Knowing What Is Really Going On
The old saying is still very true. Ignorance is bliss. Being a prepper is about positioning yourself as far away from that bliss as possible.
You know what could happen, what is happening, and how bad it could go. You know all the worst people and organizations in the world and what effect they are having on our way of life.
I hate making it my business to know the evil and the catastrophe that is closer and closer all the time.
I am not sure if I would hate watching YouTube shorts all night, oblivious, even more than waking up in a cold sweat after dreaming about a nuclear weapon detonating off the coast of the UK.
I Hate Knowing What Will Have To Be Done When SHTF
Beyond knowing what is happening in this world, I also must contend with what the end of the world will be like, too.
As a prepper I hate thinking over all the situations we will have to manage when SHTF. I hate thinking about turning people away who are starving. I hate thinking about people dying because there is no more medical care.
⇒ This Bug Will Kill Most Americans During The Next Crisis
Inevitably, you must think these things over so that you are better prepared to deal with them. It still sucks sitting down and going over those dark scenarios in your head.
I Hate Watching World Leaders Edge Us Closer To TEOTWAWKI
From cutting fuel production to shutting down farms and starting wars, I hate watching the world leaders move us closer to the end of the world.
Their decisions are worse by the day, and we are left to deal with the consequences.
When it comes to our own preparedness, we have the power to affect our situation. That is the reason most of us prepare.
Of course, when it comes to leaders and big decisions in the world, we are essentially powerless.
I really hate knowing that people are going to starve, suffer and die because of decisions that world leaders and influential billionaires are having their way.
I also hate knowing there are no repercussions for said leaders.
I Hate Living Under The Doomsday Clock
All preppers have holes in their game. Nobody is rooting for the collapse because their lives will be much better if the world falls apart.
There are a lot of great things about living a self-reliant and independent lifestyle. There are also tons of great things about living in this modern society.
All the people that I know who live off the grid take trips to places like Rural King, Southern States, Northern Tool, and even Walmart to get things for their off-grid paradise.
As a prepper I hate waiting for the inevitable to happen. I hate knowing that the doomsday clock is ticking over my head, and I will not know exactly when it hits midnight. The more I prep the less I hear that clock and worry about those things, but I know it is always there.
For the record, I would not change a thing. Moving into 2023 I am so glad that I started prepping all those years ago.
It has positioned my family and I to weather whatever storm hits the hardest. Prepping has paid dividends for me both from peace of mind and literal dividends.
While there are things I hate about being a prepper, it is safe to say that the good far outweighs the bad.
I would also like to thank the prepper community at large for shouldering these burdens together and creating a home for new preppers who are just opening their eyes to the real world.
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Thank you
I hate all that as well, but this earth is satan’s World.
It is very difficult to live a preppers life. YES. But the rewards out way the parts of prepping that I hate.
Just being a prepper is Life to me, also being a Christian and a firm believer in all the Bible, your hate will turn into a love for prepping,
God will fill your storage house full, Remember Joseph and the seven yrs of good to get ready for the seven yrs of bad.
It matters not if you are a prepper or not, they will hate ever thing about this earth even them selfs.
We have been warned of this that is here know.!!!!
Remember those that are not preppers, probably are not going to make it thru this.
Good that we hate being a prepper, just might save our lives. If everyone knows you are a prepper then they will come to you for help, then you lose. Stay Gray…
Better to have it, then not to have it at all. Weather you hate it or not.
Good article.
stay sharp
I, too, am a Christian, and find it hard sometimes to determine how far to go with the prepping. What I do do is make sure I have plenty, just in case someone I ‘know’ needs help I have spare stuffs. Knowing about the end times helps a little. I find it a joy doing what I can when I can so I have some extra. Not only did the pandemic make people realize that things could get rough, and they did; but I lot of people went into overdrive. I’m an old lady and that’s all I can do. I also believe, ‘Press on regardless.’
Being Christian makes prepping tough. We have to be prepared but also trust in God more than man, including ourselves. At to that the commandment to not kill, prepping means no weapons. Obviously we have knives and would use them to defend ourselves but not our supplies. Takes true faith to trust in god when our hard earned supplies are threatened. My church actually teaches us to have supplies for hard times but not expressly to be preppers and definitely no guns or harming anyone. I’ll have to have faith in my skills (RN, sewing, child care, animal care, midwifery, cooking) and the off grid supplies I have few know how to use (wound stitches, treadle sewing machine, manual typewriter).
The Bible does not say no weapons .The Bible also declares thou shalt not murder , the term kill is incorrect.
Why ? Yeshua told people to prepare? Noah and Joseph all prepared for hard times. Christians need to get to do the work in their faith . It’s a work based faith
Lol kill means you don’t run around murdering everyone. If you’re mind set is so weak you let people take your shit then put one in your family’s head when it kicks off. Because you’re going get them all killed
Jesus commanded his followers to be armed with swords just prior to His crucifixion. These were short swords like a gladius, not a two-handed sword. The modern equivalent would be a handgun. He knew the world was full of evil men, and the swords would protect them from robbers and such on their travels.
Proverbs 24:11
“Rescue those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to the slaughter, Oh hold them back!”
How are you going to obey this command if you are unarmed? While pacifism makes you a nice person to be around, and is a good life principle to follow, sometimes being a pacifist is immoral, and a great sin.
Also, if you aren’t adept at stone-age survival, taking your supplies IS the equivalent of taking your life.
Sorry, but your knowledge of Christ’s teachings is defficient.
Another commented on the “murder” vs “kill” issue below, so there’s that.
And I do recall something about him suggesting a person sell their clothes if they have no sword.
If your church doesn’t teach correctly…you may want to consider what it is you’re learning.
As a Christian, my studies have shown me that “Thou Shalt Not Kill” is better interpreted as “Thou shalt not murder”
There is a difference
Pacifism isn’t Scriptural.
I agree with you better to prepare than not to.I wish more people would prepare as well.
Directions:
“Wise as a serpent
Gentle as a dove.”
Satan owns nothing. The only thing he has is control over the world system that is opposed to King Jesus. Even that is destined to fail and will only serve towards his eternal punishment.
Psalm 89:11
“The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all it contains, You have established them.”
Do you know what the problem is with being a prepper it is knowing in the back of your mind that you may have to take the life of someone to protect your food or family because they weren’t ready for when the shtf and they were not in any way even part way ready for it because they turned a blind eye to it and they have no skills for survival there are a lot of people who don’t even know how to hunt or forage for food and build a shelter and if they know what you have they will try to take yours so you have to have the proper mind set for that to if they try to take yours.
I am really tired of all the preppers who buy freeze-dried foods and think that they are “good”. Eventually those foods will run out and even though it may last their lifetime, there’s still the upcoming generation to consider. We need to teach them how to survive.
I think that one of the most important ways to prep is to learn the skills of self-sufficiency. Learn about how to grow a garden, how to shoe a horse, how to do blacksmithing, and how to locate wild fruits and vegetables as well as game. How to sew a button and mend socks. I think there is not enough of that for the everyday person. People make excuses for why they personally can’t do it. They don’t have the land. They don’t have the skills.
Start familiarizing with the skills by watching youtube videos. Cut expenses. Pay off debt. Learn to cook at home. Creatively use leftovers. Learn to can and dehydrate food. Stock up on the tools needed for sustainability.
Create a sustainable business so that you can earn without a job when you move out to the country. (Hint where I live we need electricians, plumbers, and handymen). I have a friend who took a cut in pay so that he could learn one of these trades and could move with him out to one of these rural areas and set up his own place and business.
I have to most definitely agree with you on all this. I have my good days and bad days with what’s coming our way. Having young kids really hurts knowing they wont get to have a future, it just tears me up inside. I do have a questions for anyone on here that could help me out. I’m looking to buy a log cabin, a house, or a mobile home with at least an acre. Somewhere in the country not to close to anyone. I’d really appreciate the help, thank you. God bless everyone and God bless America!
There are small, and large parcels for sale in my area. However, due to the people that have been moving into the area from Iowa, Illinois, New York, etc and have paid top dollar for land, repeatedly, the per acre price has come up an awful lot in the last two years. But if you go a county over it’s still fairly affordable. Numerous small farm properties and older houses available there. Zip code 65786. Very rural, Amish/Mennonite communities also in some areas nearby. Obviously, MO. Not sure where ur wanting to be.
It’s not like your children won’t have a future. I’m not even sure what you mean by that. If you are bringing up your children right and letting them watch you pray daily, worshiping with you while teaching them the truth about our God then you should have hope and they should be prepared for whatever the world, the flesh or the devil will send your way. We all need to trust in God and hope for the best. The best, of course, is being in heaven with the angels, saints, our Blessed Mother and Jesus Christ.
Sorry for the loss of your mother.
all this prepping is good but i can’t imagine killing someone to keep it. I am 74 and live alone. I will be overwhelmed when the first wave of thieves come through
I think about that all the time DiAnne. When I was a younger man I used to always think about shooting zombies… Because they were dead guys climbing up out of the ground. Now that I’m older I realize the “zombies“… Are your starving neighbors and people coming out of desperation to try to find a way to survive. It’s still not a comfortable thought. In the movies… The marauders are threatening bad men… Who are going to kill you so it’s easy to think that you would have to shoot them. But what happens when it is a hungry mom and her children.? Or someone you know who is starving and begging for help? Of course you will want to help them… But the help you give may be the help that you need for yourself or your family in order to survive. Just nothing comfortable about it.
I believe at your age it would be scary It breaks my heart knowing your alone I wish you lived in Canada I’d help you out.
It is pouring rain here in California and under my house is becoming flooded. Fortunately the food I stored 12 and 20 years ago is vacuum sealed, oh, and some pinto beans before Y2K. If you have been following TEOTWAWKI prophecies, I suggest you also consider, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
That in my humble opinion, that is the right attitude needed to survive what ever comes one’s way – Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and always know that God is in charge.
Cook? Kids today know how to cook. Throw a into the microwave set the timer and BINGO it’s “cooked”. Most of them can’t open a can of anything or peel a potato or even stir a pot. Thankfully I taught my kids how and my son could be a chef if he wanted to. His wife can’t boil water or rather refuses to even try. It’s fast food,microwave or a restaurant for her. OR my son does all the cooking. He has taught my 2 grandsons how and I bought them a book on ” Cooking for Teenagers ” that I hope will help.
I too live alone but am prepared for the hoards to descend to TAKE what I have had to earn. But SURPRISE!!! SOME of them will go down with me when the time comes and that will be good enough for me. At 70 I have no illusions of living through TEOTWAWKI. But if YOU have any illusions it will be easy to take what I have YOU ARE WRONG!!
I’m teaching my kids to cook. I tried hard with the oldest but his ADHD meant burnt food and nothing ready at the same time. But the younger two are doing well so far at 15 and 11.
Hey now! I have a microwave too! Lol It was made in March of 1984, does not rotate and isn’t quite as powerful as the more modern units it’s size. My friends make fun of me for having it and i just tell them to keep going out and having to buy new one every one to 3 years and my “oldie” will still be running after a pile of their overpriced cheap junk has bit the dust. And being of a prepper mentality, i scored one EXACTLY like it for around $25 at a local thrift shop. Backup unit. I too live alone and cook regularly. Main thing i use mwave for is to melt cheese on something in a bowl. Otherwise i have a nice glass top stove with a convection oven option. I’ll miss it if EMP takes er out. Bought a decent pressure canner for me and 2 of my kids so they can learn to can at their homes too. I eat out once a week, with friends on saturday at a regular “sit down” restaurant and that’s the extent of my “fast food”. I don’ do drive thru any kinda food as it’s ALL overpriced and unhealthy, by and large. If there’s any $ i can allocate to it, i’m getting a dehydrator fairly soon. Building my last, and only, home right now and it’s eaten more $ than both ex-wives combined! Lol. Putting in wood heat as i live in the middle of a forested area and intend to take advantage of that resource with numerous very carefully selected trees that had to be cut to further construction. Got about a 1/3 of it completely processed into firewood, and a bunch more stacked in orderly log piles to be cut up. I too dread turning away starving people and i’m under no illusions about the ability of a larger # of people to overrun my home. While i have “hardened” my home to a certain degree that’s not visible to the untrained eye, a big strong guy, or 2, with a sledgehammer and a few minutes could breach one of my doors or bash through the windows if given enough time. Riot Glass. But, with enough people i won’t be able to withstand them forever. Still “tuning” on things though as the house is being built.
One thing you can do if/when someone comes to the door looking for food is answer it this way: : “OMG I am so glad you are here. Do YOU have any food? We haven’t eaten in days.”. I will say “WE” in an attempt to get them to think it’s more than just me. Will I be able to turn away a mom with a couple of obviously hungry toddlers? I don’t know. But you have to remember it could be a ruse to steal what you have. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will I let them in to see what I have. IF I let them stay it will be with some strict rules about things. Like they will stay OUTSIDE until I feel I can trust them –if ever. Being alone as a prepper trying to survive won’t be any fun but some of my family think I’m being nuts doing what I do. They are the same ones who have done ZERO prepping and always say “If SHTF I’m going to come stay with you ” . My response is always “What makes you think I’ll let you in? You have done NOTHING to prepare yourself for a SHTF situation so why should I help YOU when you won’t help yourself?”
There are plenty of little tricks you can use in situations like that. You just have to look around to find them or do some serious thinking about it.
That reminds me of the childhood story book…..The Little Red Hen.
My daughter is nearly 22. She knows how to cook quite a bit and she can bake her own bread. That’s a lot better than most kids her age. She likes it so she works at it to get better. My opinion is most young uns her age will starve to death quickly when there are no restaurants to cook it for them. What good will it do them to try to steal what food I got when they’d be clueless when they saw all the dried beans, rice, oatmeal, wheatberries, freeze dried eggs and milk and other stuff?
Those are the thieves who will keep you prisoner in your own home to cook for them and clean up after them, not to mention warm their beds, if they left you alive while they ransacked your place looking for food or other valuables, and/or a livable place to hole up. Don’t think thieves will just walk away and leave you alone if they don’t know how to prepare your food stores.
Anyone interested in pharmacy Ivermectin capsule form online.
Medicine Counter Pharmacy
Out of state sales ok.
Not horse paste!!
O.K. I buy my Ivermectin from India, so was extremely interested to see what Medicine Counter Pharmacy offers. Well….you cannot order it unless you are a perscriber!! That means you have to be a doctor to order it!! BUMMER! Well, we have ordered, sometimes together with friends, three or four times via AllDayChemist.com in India. The product comes in 3-4 weeks, so you have to plan ahead, but the prices are not bad and they are very reliable!! I will likely buy some more eventually, as you can take 1 normal (for your weight) dose a week to help prevent catching COVID again, and to combat the shedding from others. I will take allldaychemist.com any day!!
It’s hard to keep your preps a secret. But thankfully our tight little group of acquaintances understands. We don’t talk about it and if asked we laugh about it. We’d help some people I guess; I find it hard to let a child go hungry. We have preps for that too. They won’t get the good stuff, but they’ll get a meal to get them to the next stopping place, even though that could cause problems, I think we’d still do it, for a while. But when all is said and done it will be my family before anyone else. Sad to think that it might come to that, but don’t forget; you never know when you might be helping an angel.
One thing to keep in mind. That starving person may be a scout for a much larger party waiting out of sight or for that person to report back to. Give em a glass of water and a decent, plain meal of the most basic type. Something that didn’t require cooking or a freezer. Hardtack, pemmican or the like. Feed em outside. Unless it’s it’s a blizzard/extremely inclement weather, then let them into a garage or SOME area that’s not connected to your main living area. If they’re truly hungry they’ll appreciate the food and maybe you can get a feel for what their agenda may, or may not be. And yes OPSEC is crucial and i’ve used that same tactic to brush off casual inquiries about the extent of my preps. Only my closest friends know that i have more than some beans, rice and an extra box or 2 of 22lr ammo. I’m still way down on my prep list. Got a lot of dried beans though! Lol.
Thank you for this article it really voiced some of the stressful aspects of being a prepper. I am only 3yrs into this world and def not ‘ready’ but readier than I was and working at it constantly!
We built a concrete saferoom in the center of our house that doubles as a pantry including a freezer, fridge, gun safe, potty & sink. It is stocked with everything a person would need to live for several months if needed. The door has 12 bolts so you would need a cutting torch to break in and then would be met with resistance. If you are building – include a place to wait out the intruders and break up your preps so they don’t find them all.
They will burn you out
Concrete doesn’t burn, at least not any I’ve ever seen. They could, however, find whatever is used for air exchange and push smoke or other nasty airborne stuff into the safe room to drive out the occupants. Or find the water supply and cut that off if they’re able to wait a bit longer for results.
Thank you for the insightful thoughts. As a single elder, I may not last long, but will give it a good try. The biggest item is skills; cooking, etc. Will be locking my coop, was told chickens are the new catylitic converter. New customers will not come to the house.
Get a dehydrator. Would i like an excalibur? sure, but what i have works. Would I like an All American 911?? Of course. The canners I have works. I did invest in solar with batteries, hate the electric company. Until the mob takes out my solar, I’ll be fine. Keep the old clothes. Switch to the baggie you own to be invisible. I use wide elastic as a makeshift belt. Keeps them up without showing off.
Yes, this is a lifestyle. Would i like to hope we don’t need it?? Sure, but with the shortages, time to plan.
I find that many people are lulled into wanting to live near civilized areas(think cities) where convenience ( and depravity) abounds. While there may be safety in numbers, I choose to live quite rurally, and always know where the deer, elk, bear, moose, turkeys and small prey roam as well as the predators, (Both wildlife and human). We live quite harmoniously with nature here and I’m thankful that we hope to live out our days here. Trying explaining that “create your sanctuary” attitude to offspring is aggravating when it falls on deaf ears. I’m in “nowhere important” Manitoba, Canada and still plant a huge garden, canning, dehydrating and processing, foraging hunting, fishing and living safely and super affordably. Lots of farm and bushland, forests, parks and lakes that are clean, pristine and unoccupied. tradespeople don’t want to locate here because of the sparse population. My point is- ” how seriously independent is your mindset and what are your boundaries and deal breakers?
I quote “I also hate knowing there are no repercussions for said leaders.”
Surely there are for them;
„Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:15 NIV
In the flames of Geena the terrible torment does not have end nor pause…
Billions of years seem less than a second compared to eternity….
It’s more horrific than anyone could imagine…
I’m regretting the state of our Union.
I loose sleep over the things and decisions I’ll have to make.
But, I’ll fear no evil, because I was raised by a Good Catholic Family with. An Air Force Senior Master Sargent as a father with a Great Work Ethic!
We will prevail, God willing.
Be Safe, Take Care of Each Other.
American Lives and our way of life should never surrender to EVIL!
God Bless You All.
Ok
If the worst does come to pass, as it seems inevitable, there is one question nobody ever asks, ” would you want to survive in a world that has been ravaged, with no hope on the horizon. Seems to me that surviving in that type of scenario would be nothing but misery after misery.
Tom,
I have asked myself that same question many times. The only answer I can realistically come up with, is wait and see. I do not believe I will survive to the end of SHTF, but I am hoping that I can survive long enough to help my grandchildren get on a survivable course. Like many here, the (step)children are not worth much effort to save, because they believe everything should be given to them without any requirements. I was raised on “no workie, no eatie”. If I didn’t earn my keep, then the good times ceased. The harder I worked or studied, the more I was given.
If there is no future, there can be no hope. BUT, we should define our future as existing beyond our mortal life. Our miseries help define who we are, and I hope my character is strong enough to help those that need it, defend those that cannot defend themselves, and effect retribution on those that deserve it. I don’t want to be judge, jury, and executioner, but in certain circumstances, I WILL answer the call.
Don’t let the hate in…. and maybe drop the “Prepper” handle.
Most folks with an ounce of sense are preppers to some degree. Some have pantries, others have root-cellars. Some hunt and fish, others raise hens and hogs. Some can build, others have a lathe and welder in their shed… and they all have a generator.
Comon-Sense folks are all at different places on the prepping journey, in town, in the burbs, or off-grid in the hills. The only difference is that some are more prepared for larger situations than others. When asked why the drill & lathe in the garage, or why all the nut&fruit trees and garden, I just say it’s a hobby 🙂
Lol no they are they are not
I recently bought a couple of antique “egg beater” drills off eBay. I was thinking how would I even drill a hole if the power was out for an extended period of time. Then I decided to purchase a large and small hand powered drill. I love antique tools anyway, I have a collection of saws so added drills to my collection.
I agree with PB-Dave; many prep to some degree. I live in a place with pretty good winters so most prepare for winter whether it be chopping wood for a wood stove, putting snow tires on the car, or checking the hats, mittens, and gloves supply before first flake.
Nobody really talks about it because nearly everyone does it to a degree. We had an early very heavy snowstorm several years back that had many of us realizing we’d grown rather complacent. Lots of talk about not being caught unawares was heard all over. I moved up my “ready for winter” date by several weeks.
A local store sets up a “storm table” when bad weather is forecast. Flashlights, oil lamps, oil, strike anywhere matches, little 1 lb propane canisters, hand warmers, Because many places around here lose power frequently.
Some people like judging others no matter what. I’ve seen enough gossipers whio are only too happy to serve as judge and jury. I do my best to give them little to discuss.
Donno, but I love it. We all do because we were raised in it. Like me, some of us never saw an indoor toilet till we started school. Water came in via a hand pump. Prior to the rural electric scam, most people in rural areas had a small windmill or water wheel to power a car battery for the Philco, and if snobby, would have an electric light in the kitchen. Wealthy country folk used wind or steam to power their homes. Yet, even well-to-do town people canned and by my time often owned freezers, as well. These things were not lost because visionary people kept them alive unto the next generation, even as we are. niio, James, you walk in His beauty
I hate that as a nation and a society we have reached the point that I feel such a deep need to prep. I hate that I am more concerned about my own government’s actions than about what Russia, China, or North Korea is doing or might do. I get concerned about the realization that people will starve or will die because of lack of medical care. The army had tried to prepare me mentally for the fact that some of the men I was responsible for might die, but when that time comes it still hits you in the gut like you can’t believe unless you have been there. As for my own prepping it comforts me that I have done a reasonable amount to take care of me and my immediate family. It comforts me that few know the extent of my preps (not even a brother-in-law that lives a few blocks away), and I don’t care about what other people think about the concept of prepping.
I see articles like this and realize my situation is fortunate. Virtually everyone I know is a prepper. My friends and my neighbors. Granted, some could be ranked as survivalists, with small gardens, sufficiency skillsets, and food pantries, but others are hardcore, with the same prep plus the addition of livestock (including horses) and up to ten years of supplies. Solar systems, EV bikes, growing tips, and hand tools are often part of any conversation. Almost everyone around here hunts, fishes, and camps without it seeming out of place, and include doctors, nurses, lots of veterans (Including a veteran veterinarian) As for myself, I’m a Surgical PA, Army veteran (1970-74) and began “prepping” when I was 12, learning from local Navajo and Apache kids that were around my home. (Break rock/make knife stuff) Anyway, the idea that people aren’t “prepped” always seems odd to me.
If you are in your 50’s or older you had Grandparents that lived through the ” Great Depression ” From talking to my grandfather back many years ago I am far better prepped wise then he was back in the day. RIP Grandpa, but many thanks for all the skills I learned, that many things may be gone tomorrow so grab them today, Life only gives us one ticket so make the best out of it.
Smile often, Love life, And what don’t kill ya makes you stronger.
And again as I read all the comments I am convinced that unless you can get so far off the beaten path (the backside of the third mountain over) and possess multiple skills such as carpentry, farming, hunting, trapping etc then the life you have prepped for for years will be a short one! Also NO STRANGER CAN BE TRUSTED so any who may show up needs to be eliminated immediately. I am more inclined to go with the TRUST IN THE LORD CROWD. ?
you nailed it .
There are many comments above regarding Christianity and prepping. I will likely make many people unhappy with the following.
Christ commands us to sell our cloaks and buy a sword. Scripture also tells us beat our plowshares into swords. We are to prepare ourselves by whatever means are necessary. Christ will need warriors, and whether I am called by Him or not, I will be ready to do battle for or at His side. For decades, I have called myself a “hardcore Christian”, which means I will not be meek, mild, or willing to suffer abuse at the hands of those that are anathema to His word. Will that land me in Hell? If that is what Christ desires of me, then so be it.
Being prepped is closer to following His word than not.
I’ve been prepping since 2008 and I don’t hate Prepping. I think it’s the smart, common sense thing to do. Now the others things about knowing “Why I Prep”, yeah it sucks but I would rather know what’s going on than be one of the clueless, mindless Zombies who have their heads in the sand. They’ll be the first to become buzzard food.
Yes, I hide the fact that I’m a prepper and don’t hate it. Opsec baby, Opsec. I’m not gonna raise a flag saying “Hey, I’ve got food & supplies”.
I don’t try to convince anyone. If you’re still a clueless, mindless Zombie especially after 2020……I pray you have a peaceful death. That may sound heartless but you’re dealing with a idiots.
Yes, our political leaders are morons and/or 110% evil. Yes, the “clock” is running down to all zeroes and it seems somebody mashed the accelerator….but that’s one of the reasons we Prep.
Y’all Stay Calm & Keep Prepping
I don’t hate knowing what is going on in the world. What I hate is the majority of people not knowing and not caring. Prepping is a hobby, I enjoy it but my life doesn’t revolve around it. But one day it might so as a former Boy Scout – be prepared.
My DH and I started prepping quite a few years ago when he started selling freeze-dried foods at the local gun shows. Along with the food storage we moved to a rural area in a “red” state, bought some shipping containers for storage, started a good-sized garden, got some birds, first for insect control, later for eggs and ended up with a few horses that can provide transportation if/when necessary. When COVID and the TP panic hit, we weren’t part of the hoards since I had made paper products part of my preps.
Looking around the world, I said the most ubiquitous item that cannot be easily made by hand, at home, is writing paper. Art paper is easy, even rudimentary toilet paper can be made, but it takes machinery and technology to make paper that can be written on with a ball point pen, a sharpened pencil or even with an old-fashioned typewriter. So… I saved and scrounged memo pads. Post-it notes, notebooks, looseleaf paper and reams of printer paper. If TEOTWAWKI happens, paper will be the final means of communication and recording history. On the other hand, he said the next war was going to be fought over toilet paper. When it happened, we just looked at each other and chuckled. But we kept buying paper products after the shortages ended.
He passed away a year ago so now, my preps are just for me. What would have sustained us for 1 year will last me for two years. I live in an area where people have always prepared for Mother Nature’s little tweaks and twitches and where neighbors look out for each other. I guess you could call it “prepping” but around here, they call it “common sense.”