Prepping—It’s More Than Stockpiling Food!

Prepping—It's More Than Stockpiling Food! This article is about prepping to face the adversities of life. What those adversities are for each of us, no one knows. What we do know, though, is that one of the only guarantees in life is for us all to face adversity. Whether that's a job loss, a medical or surgical procedure, or a possible catastrophic disaster, we all have a choice.

That choice we constantly have in front of us is how we want to prepare to face the ups and downs and ebbs and flows of life. And that's the focus of this article—how do we prep for the struggles that will affect us all at some point?

What This Prepping Article Is

This article lays out some of the fundamentals of preparing for any difficult time. And yes, while it's not directly speaking to preparing for something as serious as a medical operation, it is laying out the groundwork that, I hope, puts it all in perspective.

My goal with Mind4Survival is to help others gain the confidence and capability to successfully protect themselves and their loved ones when it matters most. I do that by empowering people to face any crisis, minimize their unwanted struggles, and live their best lives.

Definition of Prepping

After years of experience and thought on the matter, I define prepping as:

“All the efforts taken to guarantee survival, minimize unwanted struggle, and live your best life.” ~Brian Duff

In short, it means to get ready. That's it. Get ready for the known and unknown, which is heading toward each of us—every day of our lives!

How Prepping Benefits You

Prepping helps us to become as capable as possible to seize the opportunity to make the most out of a situation—good or bad.

In my case, my preparation allows me to not only be ready when disaster strikes. It also helps me with my regular, everyday struggles and opportunities. Case in point, I stink at backing my trailer full of prepper supplies. So, I know when it's time to move trailers in the yard, it's going to take me a while and a trial run or two. In other words, I mentally cope ahead and prepare for the frustrating task at hand.

Similarly, my prepping creates the capability to not only help myself but to help others as well. It's through all of my efforts, which many of us in the crazy prepper world call our “preps,” that I, my family, and my friends all become better prepared. That's because I don't just prepare for my struggles. I also prepare for others—others who may struggle to be prepared.

Prepping is Empowering!

As a result of the empowering nature of preparedness, I believe those who view prepping for difficult times as akin to having a school dance in a mortuary's prep room are wrong and overcome by a fear of possible adversity.

In short, being prepped offers a fantastic opportunity to not only get through the day-to-day struggles but to do so while living your best life. And that's a good thing!

It's Okay to Feel Overwhelmed and Worried

While becoming better prepped should be empowering, the feelings of nervousness, worry, and overwhelm are common, which is okay!

Feeling worried when thinking about future problems is 100% normal because it's NOT abnormal to have some fear of future uncertainty and struggle. And, because you now know that it's normal, at times, to feel some level of stress when preparing, you can cope ahead.

Coping ahead is when we think through what a difficult situation will be like. For example, say to yourself, “I know when I think about future problems, I could experience some level or combination of fear and agitation.”

There! Now that you know it will happen, you're better prepared to notice it and be present when you find yourself going down prepping's worry-filled rabbit hole. You're more ready to catch yourself in the moment when the uncomfortable sensations of future difficulties test you.

Now, you can use the knowledge that worry comes with preparedness as a warm-up activity before you dive into your preparation. That way, you're not only better prepared to catch it but also to stop or minimize it when it happens.

You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Prepare

I have a saying, “While every crazy prepper is preparedness-minded, not every preparedness-minded person has to be a crazy prepper.” On that note, please make no mistake about it. I am 100% what popular culture likes to refer to as a crazy prepper. And that doesn't mean you have to self-identify as a prepper to become a bit more self-reliant.

That's because it is possible to prepare for a variety of likely problems while not thinking about the issues that you think are unlikely, too far-fetched, or both. You don't have to think about a society-ending SHTF event like I do. Instead, you can dedicate your focus to preparing for that minor medical or surgical procedure that you've been putting off. For example, I know that I need to take the time to attend to my shoulder problems and have put them off.

The fact is many people have everyday problems that we've been putting off. I believe that, if truth be told, most people typically know we're not dealing with things in life, which, if addressed, would lead us to live more confident and comfortable lives. And as I've mentioned here, planning and preparing for any problem is prepping.

Risk Based Preparedness Is the Most Effective

By and large, most people don't have a great system when it comes to preparedness. Even many preppers create a stockpile of food and other supplies with little to no real thought other than more is better under the two is one, one is none perspective.

We all have individual risks, and we all have unique risk profiles. Therefore, 360-degree preparedness requires identifying and managing our individual risks. In short, we best manage our risk by successfully managing our risk profile.

Time-Based Preparedness Provides a Good Start

But how are you supposed to prepare if you have no clue (yet) how to manage your risk profile? The simple answer is that you prepare for time.

You prepare by focusing on the duration of time that you want to be self-reliant. For example, if, in your opinion, you only need to be prepared to go without support for a few days, then a few days is what you should start with. You can always change, adapt, and overcome later.

You can get going by simply stocking up on more food, water, and other supplies you may be short on if the need arises. Don't go into debt. A positive preparedness mindset is free. Plus, working on a rainy day fund and picking up an extra can or three of food, plus stocking some extra water, doesn't need to break the bank.

Maybe you're already on board, actively working on your preparedness, and have a stockpile of stuff ready to go. In that case, be patient, focus on managing your risk profile, and work on expanding your current capability.

A Rising Tide Raises All Preparedness Boats

Perhaps you are worried about losing your job and believe it might take two weeks to find work. In that event, you plan so that you provide yourself with the opportunity to keep your children fed while taking the time to find the employer you want to work for rather than have to work for.

And sure, if your idea of getting prepped includes prepping for a long-term disaster, you've taken care of two weeks in the process. As they say, a rising tide raises all boats. So too, does prepping for one or two specific events. By getting ready to face one possible eventuality, you are, by default, preparing to face most eventualities. Again, preparing is empowering!

The Bottom Line on Prepping—It's More Than Stockpiling Food!

Now, I want to wrap this up before I have more in common with a long-winded preparatory school teacher than a positive preparedness experience. With that, here's a rehash of what we now know about prepping:

1. What prepping is
2. Prepping should be positive and empowering
3. It's okay to be worried when preparing
4. You don't have to call yourself a prepper to be prepared
5. A rising tide raises all preparedness boats.

What are your thoughts on prepping? Is there anything that you'd like to know more about? Tell us in the comments below!

Additional Resources:

• Top Prepping Tips! (Step-By-Step Survival Guide)
• SHTF Plan: 4-Step Guide to Survive Any Disaster (2022)
• 10 Best Bug-Out Bag Essentials List & Guide (2022)
• Prepping for Healthcare Shortages

Stay safe!