Understanding the Reasons Behind Prepping
In an ever-changing world filled with uncertainties, a growing number of individuals are turning to preparing as a way to ease their anxieties and secure their future and that of their loved ones. Preppers, as they are commonly referred to, engage in a range of activities aimed at being prepared for potential disruptions in daily life, from natural disasters to economic downturns and even societal breakdowns. I think it’s fair to say that we all have a false sense of security when things are going well in our world, country and personal bubble. A false sense of security upon our medical system, grocery stores, safety, government, the list is endless. Preparedness minded people typically aim to look past this and live for the moment but also plan for the future. I’m going to delve into just some of the many motivations that drive preppers to embrace this lifestyle but I am a believer that if you don’t “get it” now after the craziness we’ve seen unfold since 2020, then you probably aren’t going to.
Let’s start with the easy to understand ones, the practical preparedness for every day events.
Whether that be job loss and the financial hardship that comes with it, the unexpected turmoil of divorce or medical emergencies, inflation, natural disasters and adverse weather, a desire for self-reliance, power outages or something as simple as ensuring that you always have food and water in your vehicle in case you breakdown somewhere. These are real life events and situations that happen every single day.
When we got snowed in our home for 4 days (without power for a lot of it), I was thankful that we were warmed by our wood stove, had light provided by candles & flashlights, generators as backup and had plenty of food and water to keep us going. Food, water, shelter & warmth. These are the bare minimum of what we need to survive as humans. And we don’t want to only survive, but also thrive! Power outages and snow storms in our home are seen as something fun. A night playing cards & board games around the fire, lit by candlelight because we’ve prepared and want or need for nothing.
Are there other reasons people prepare? Absolutely! Prepping is personal, the reasons and what you prepare for your family are going to look very different to mine, and that’s okay!
Some people may be preparing because they think a societal collapse is coming, war or food shortages, civil unrest or are concerned about government overreach and the mass amount of implications that come with that alone. Whatever someones personal reasonings are for taking preparedness seriously, it doesn’t change the fact that they are seeing an issue and taking control and responsibility of the situation the best way they can. We don’t need to all share the same opinion of what we think is going to happen or why we prep. The prepping lifestyle is as diverse as the individuals who embrace it. Being human is beautiful and complex and different experience for everyone. Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if we all spoke the same, looked the same and thought the same? Heck, you’d think that’s what some kind of communist one world government would actually want 😉
I truly want and aim to break the negative narrative surrounding preparedness. Prepping doesn’t mean that someone is crazy, paranoid and anxiously sitting in their bunker waiting for something completely awful to unfold, it’s simply taking responsibility for yourself and your family. If anything, prepping helps me enjoy me life more. It gives me a sense of control, peace of mind and brings a whole new level of convenience (not running out of something mid dinner making and having to leave to the grocery store for start!). Plus, diving into this lifestyle has actually made me a more relaxed and informed individual, always keen to pick up new things and keep refining our old-school skills and self-sufficiency know-how.
If you made it this far, I’d love to know about you. Particularly why you prep and how it’s come in useful for you! Please share in the comments below.
