Hello, my friend and welcome back! I recently spoke to a friend I know who calls himself a “Prepper”. I asked him what he had done lately to prep, to which he replied “nothing, I have too many other hobbies and don’t have time for it right now.” Sadly, this is something I run across from time to time and it’s the subject of today’s post.
If you don’t already know, Prepping is NOT a hobby. It’s a lifestyle and something you work on constantly. It’s like breathing or eating, you don’t really think about it but do it anyway. Those of us, who are Preppers, know only too well how it is a part of everything we do. We are constantly looking for ways to better prepare us for when it all falls apart.
I know, every item I look at, whether it’s old or new, potentially has a use in a post SHTF world and we really need to recognize it and look for ways to use it any way we can. I know I’m always looking for new and better things to add to my Preps. A good example is that I ran across some old BBQ Grill grates the other day and immediately grabbed them to add with my preps. You can never have too many when you are forced to cook all of your meals on an open fire.
I didn’t set out to find them, I’m always looking for things that I can use in a time of crisis. It’s a way of looking at the world and always being aware of your surroundings. In most cases, even when I’m not thinking of anything, I’m still thinking of Prepping. Simply put, it has become a part of who I am, and unlike Hobbies, I think about it all the time, not just when it’s fun or convenient to do so.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have met a few people who take it to the extreme by acting like the world has already ended and become so paranoid that it borders on a mental sickness. In cases like this, however, the person usually has a history of mental illness somewhere in their past. Sometimes it’s hard for even sane people to manage their Prepping attitude, let alone those who already have issues.
Ask yourself this question: “Do I prep as a way of life, or is it just when I feel like it?” How you choose to prep is completely up to you, but if you haven’t made it a part of your lifestyle, you may want to reevaluate why you are doing it. There are ton’s of reasons out there for Prepping, and you definitely need to be prepared for whatever might come our way.
Just remember to try to keep it between the lines where you’re not just doing it as a hobby, and not becoming so paranoid that it disrupts the rest of your life. If you can do this then your well on your way to being able to survive whatever comes your way.
Well, that’s it for today my friend and I hope you have enjoyed today’s post. Until next time, stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared! God Bless America!
-Sarge-
I have recently come across 3 people ” I call them the 3 stoogies” who treat prepping as a hobby, in fact I don’t think they are preppers, they seem to treat prepping forums like a sort of facebook.
the problem as I see it is we have people who will prep for the minor events, what I call the inconveniences of life, the power cuts, the transport problems, the odd trade union strike, but only that and nothing more.
prepping is NOT a hobby its a lifestyle, and if someone cant see that they wont survive for long, maybe not at all.
Not only is prepping NOT a hobby – it’s a profession all to itself with aspects needing to be done with the most judicious & professional procedures – long term storage of food and water being just one ….
Example – just recently read a blog article that was supposedly expounding advise on long term packing of a food “kit” …. most was just bad advisement until the article end when it became killer advise – suggested a package of pool shock (calcium hypochlorite) to be included in with the sealed bucket of food – pool shock with it’s toxic/caustic/flammable off gassing is one of the most serious & dangerous prep items there is to store – including it or other chemicals with your stored food is absolutely ludicrous ….
I completely hear what you are saying. Prepping is a way of life for me too. However, I think we are too quick to judge and be harsh with others. The way to encourage others to be more prepared isn’t to be judgmental,but to slowly include them in things you do to prepare, or give them articles that talk about things that are happening around the world. Figure out ways to try to get them to take an interest, because the more people who are prepared, the better off we all are. Being judgement of someone who hasn’t gotten to that place yet is no way to encourage them to want to get involved. I wish everyone could be less judgement of others reasons for why they do things. I ask people not to judge me for being a pepper, so I guess we owe them the same respect for their choices. We never know what their barriers might be…..
Lead by example!
I hear what you’re saying, but I never was any good at pampering people. If they want to survive then they need to get with the program and if they don’t then so be it. This damn PC culture of worrying about everyone damn feelings has done more to hurt this country than any war ever has. As far as I’m concerned, if they are to have any hope of surviving then they are going to have to set their feelings aside and get tuff because if they don’t, they will die. This may sound harsh I know, but it’s just how life is. You try to help them and if they come along then good if not then …
That’s a good point too!
As Sarge has said, and part of a larger quote hanging above my desk, “…you’re a work in progress, and neither the work nor the progress ever stops.”
Thanks Sarge.
-D.
Thank you for the encouragment…and practical comments.. Prepping for us has been a lifetime, living in a small town far away from services, having enough supplies for a large family (and their friends)…. many good memories and we always had enough to eat and emergency supplies. Today we must for our grandchildren… We have lived in Montana for 58 years…
Welcome back Sarge! We started prepping in 2003 after the San Simeon quake and a week without power. Even at that time we had a month of supplies because we lived out in the boonies. We now live in Idaho and have a year and a half worth of “supplies”. Never underestimate “reality”….in California they have no clue!
Thanks, Dan! What part of Idaho do you live in? I’m going to be retiring next year and moving back to Idaho myself. Maybe we could get together for coffee sometime? 🙂
Sounds good, Sarge! I am in Garden Valley ( about 55 miles north of Boise).
Dan, I’m truly interested in Idaho. Where to you recommend to go for 120 acres plus ? With the trifecta too! Plenty of water, good tillable ground and woods?? Thanks!
I agree completely, Sarge. Prepping to provide security for you and your family is not a hobby it has to be job one! Prepping is not easy, it’s not cheap, but it is the only way I, personally, have control of my family’s safety. One only needs to look around our country and world to realize that really bad things happen to otherwise good people. While the emergency services provided by both state and federal agencies have been employed, with a varying degree of success, over the past weeks, the fact that they will quickly be overwhelmed if needed in multiple locations.
Good and timely post, glad you are back.
Thanks, CPT. D !