Let me start by telling you that preparedness or prepping is not about being a doomsday prepper. Doomsday prepping has gotten a bad reputation because it is tied to hoarding. In a world that’s becoming increasingly unpredictable, “prepping” should not be a silly idea reserved for doomsday enthusiasts or survivalists. Several factors can encourage you to prep, such as global pandemics, extreme weather events, economic instability, supply chain disruptions, sickness, and job loss.
The last few years have shown just how quickly normal life can be turned upside down. How being unprepared can change a person's attitude. If you haven’t started preparing for emergencies, now is the time—and here’s why.
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1. Disasters
Climate change is driving an increase in natural disasters—wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and droughts are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity. Even if you live in an area that’s historically been safe, you can’t count on that anymore. Having a stash of food, water, and emergency supplies isn’t overreacting—it’s smart. I live in the mountains and I know this too well. We can be asked to be evacuated, and sometimes asked to shelter in place. Sometimes there are roadblocks. Having a well-prepped pantry and stocks when I can't drive down the hill is peace of mind.
You might think that prepping will not be useful when you are asked to evacuate. For example, during a wildfire. Being prepped can look like having all the documents in one place or binder, so you can grab them right away. It can also look like having an emergency plan or emergency bag in your car.
2. Systems You Rely On Can Fail
Most people take electricity, clean water, internet, and grocery store shelves for granted. But those systems can and do fail. A local power outage or a national crisis could leave you without access to the essentials for days or even weeks. Prepping gives you a buffer when the systems around you stop
working.
During a crazy and extreme wind event, we lost power for 3 days straight. The power went on for a day, then it went off again for 4 days straight. Our camping gear and the prepping items we have got us through those days. Some examples of prep things that we used are a camping stove, propane, emergency lights, and lamps. emergency long-hour candles, generators, and power banks.
Read: Power Outage Must-Haves
3. Prepping Saves Time, Money, and Stress
Think of prepping like an insurance policy: it costs a little upfront but saves you a lot when things go wrong. Stocking up on food and supplies while things are stable helps avoid panic-buying at inflated prices during a crisis. Plus, knowing you’re prepared brings peace of mind when others are scrambling.
I always suggest starting with what you think is essential to your family. Buy what is on sale and have a budget. You do not have to shell out a big amount of money. Starting small is still a good step.
Read: Frugal Prepping
4. It Gives You Control in Uncertain Times
Prepping is empowering. It shifts you from being vulnerable and dependent on others to being self-reliant. Whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a major catastrophe, being prepared means you can take care of yourself and your loved ones instead of relying on overwhelmed services or hoping help arrives in time. We live in California, and we deal with wildfires, flash floods, and earthquakes. Government aid can get overwhelmed, too. Help may not come right away when we need it. Sometimes resources are limited too, esp when help is needed for a big population.
5. Preparedness Is a Skill You Can Build
Prepping isn’t just about acquiring gear. It’s about your mindset and the knowledge you learn along the way. When you start this journey, you will also embark on a learning journey. Learning how to grow your food, purify water, or treat injuries are valuable skills that can serve you not just in everyday life and in emergencies. Start small and build gradually—every step you take increases your resilience.
6. Sickness or Job Loss
I remember when our budget got really tight. We had to reduce our budget, and some weeks I skipped grocery shopping. That was only because we have well-prepared stocks. When things get hard financially, we rely on our preps. When you get sick and can't shop for a few days or weeks, prepping can give you some peace of mind.
Getting Started for Newbies:
You don’t have to move to the woods or build a bunker. Start with the basics:
• Store a few weeks’ worth of food and water. Start with an extra food/water supply for a few days. Store what your family will eat,
• Build a small emergency kit with first aid, flashlights, batteries, etc. Dollar Tree is a perfect place if you are on a budget.
• Make a plan with your family in case you need to evacuate or shelter in place. Get organized with your important documents.
Prepping is about being ready, not scared. It’s about taking responsibility for your future in a world where uncertainty is the only constant. It is also not about hoarding. I have a few resources and a page dedicated to preparedness that you can browse. Do not get overwhelmed; starting small is still a good step.
Do not forget to pin and save for later!
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