Prepping isn't all about being paranoid and reclusive. In fact, some preppers even encourage others to live a normal life after you've prepped ahead to ensure that you can take care of your family when SHTF. (h/t to TheOrganicPrepper.com)
The goal of every prepper is not to live in fear of the inevitable. Rather, the goal is to get ready before SHTF so you can have peace of mind.
Aim for a balance between prepping and your "normal" activities
Prepping is a complicated endeavor, but you shouldn’t let it take over your life. Don't ignore your other responsibilities in favor of prepping.
Live your life. Your preparedness and survival skills should allow you to live with peace of mind, not fear of the future.
Prepping incorporates useful skills, gear and supplies with your overall well-being, from your physical to your mental health. Prepping isn't meant to cause stress or anxiety.
Being ready before SHTF should help you be more confident that you have what you need if anything bad happens to you. (Related: Intermediate prepping: How to deal with non-prepper neighbors when SHTF.)
Once you've learned the necessary skills that will help you survive a disaster scenario and you've gathered gear and supplies, you don't need to hide like a hermit in your homestead, unless that's the sort of lifestyle you prefer.
Set aside time for your hobbies
A prepper also has hobbies, and it's fine to enjoy them in your free time. If you love to read, indulge in fiction that you find entertaining.
At the same time, you can invest in books that can teach you useful prepping and survival skills like foraging or first aid. Set up a budget for daily needs like groceries, prepping supplies and your hobbies, whether that's dining out or watching the occasional movie.
Stay alert
While enjoying other activities, you can still use your prepper skills to ensure your safety. If you're in a crowded area, stay alert and take note of possible exits that you can use if SHTF.
Avoid drinking too much alcohol when in an unfamiliar place. Be wary of strangers.
Keep learning new skills
Set aside time to improve your skills and learn new ones.
Below are some important survival and prepping skills that can help you get through most kinds of SHTF scenarios:
- Animal, insect and plant identification
- Firearms maintenance and repair
- Firestarting
- Foraging
- Home canning
- Home gardening
- Hunting and fishing
- Proper food storage
- Raising chickens and other animals for food
- Sanitation and hygiene
- Self-defense
- Shelter making
- Signaling for help
- Situational awareness
- Survival first aid
- Water purification
Learning as many skills as you can helps improve your chance of surviving when things go south.
Take risks and step outside your comfort zone
As a prepper, you learn to take risks so you can enjoy the rewards of your hard work. If you're a beginner, planting a new crop in your home garden means you can also learn how to take care of something if it doesn't grow well on your first try.
You should also apply the same principle when doing other things, like enjoying your hobbies or traveling for pleasure.
Preppers don't have to hide from the world
If you are comfortable staying in your homestead because you have access to all your survival needs, feel free to enjoy your solitude.
But if you're the sort of person who enjoys taking trips or watching movies, that's also fine. Being a prepper means you invest time and effort to have the freedom to do whatever you want so you can live with peace of mind because you're ready if and when SHTF.
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