How To Really Prepare For Long Term Collapse

long-term-collapse

“The people who do the best (under such conditions) are not those who have prepared in an attempt to create a bubble of normalcy around them, but rather those who can adapt the fastest to changing circumstances.”

I very much agree with the quote above from a reader responding to yesterday’s article. It is well worth reminding. So many of us (preparedness-minded) focus (too much?) at times on our ‘preps’ – our ‘stuff’.

The fact is that it’s about much more than just that…


 
Certainly, our preps will prove to be very beneficial during the time when we really need them. Certainly a very deep pantry will feed us for a time directly proportional to the ‘deepness’ of that pantry. Certainly all that we have acquired will help us during the aftermath and unfolding of time.

However when we’re talking about a long term collapse, a time in which life as we know will be drastically changed for a year or more (forever?), then we’re talking about something that goes way beyond just our preps. We cannot simply prepare for such a time by deepening our pantry. While this WILL buy us time, the fact is that we will never be fully prepared in this way.

The key to ‘really’ preparing for a long term collapse is successful adaptability to changing circumstances. Resourcefulness. “To make everything out of anything”.

Preppers do spend a lot of time (me included) building up stores of goods and supplies which will indeed create a ‘bubble of normalcy’ around us if and when we need it. There’s nothing wrong with that! This bubble that we’ve created for ourselves will get us through most ‘disasters’ until such time that life returns to ‘normal’.

However it is extremely important to look outside that bubble in preparation for a major event, a collapse of life as we know it today. If you are preparing for this, then you must look towards a means of self-sufficiency and safety/security.

If you become self-sufficient (be it just yourself or with a group) and if you remain safe and secure in this self-sufficiency, then you will more likely survive.

With that said, becoming truly self-sufficient is enormously challenging and involves not just ‘stuff’, but the skills and know-how in order to actually do it.

Additionally, one’s safety and security during such a time will likely be just as enormous a challenge – greatly depending on where you live or where you end up.

Awhile ago I wrote the article, “Survival Skills Of The Great Depression Era”, which listed things like frugality, homestead and farming skills, handyman, mechanic, and health care as some of the valued skill sets during that time.

Prior to that I wrote the article, “Practical Skills That People Once Knew”, which listed attributes such as Woodworking, Metalwork, Hand tools, Carpentry, Cooking, Sewing, Gardening, Raising chickens for eggs and meat, Foraging, Canning, food preservation, Hunting, Trapping, Raising farm animals, Tree-cutting, firewood, Butcher, Baker, and Candle stick maker…

As I’m sure you’re beginning to see, the point I’m making is that in order to really become prepared for a long term collapse of life as we know it today, then we must get beyond Preparedness-101 and really focus on additional things such as mindset, skills, and adaptability…and put ourselves in a hypothetical position of trying to survive during a time when our infrastructure and supply chains are basically long gone or greatly diminished.

When your own stores run out, then what?

I do believe that there will be many regions where the right communities will adapt and overcome. I believe that this will mostly occur in so called ‘rural’ or ‘country’ regions where people there already (to an extent) may be partially self-sufficient. I’m not saying that there won’t be great hardship or failure there (there certainly will), but these people stand a better chance than the vast majority of those who live shoulder-to-shoulder in the city metro regions or suburbia and have just about zero ability (or the skills, land, and resources) to even think about being self-sufficient.

When you really think about it on the most very basic of levels, to really survive a long term collapse we must produce enough food (calories) to live. That food must also be preserved for throughout the year. How many of you (us) can actually do that? Do you really know how much food that is? (It’s more than you might think)

How many will be able to adapt to the circumstances?

If you are interested in preparing for ‘long term’ collapse, then it might be a good idea to start now with your thought process, plans, skill set development, and ‘know-how’.

While I know that many here on this blog have the ability to successfully grow a large garden and to preserve its bounty, and there are many here who raise their own livestock and likely already are living a relatively or partially self-sufficient lifestyle, the fact is that not everyone is ready or knows how, or lives in a place where it’s feasible.

If you really want to survive ‘long term’, then you must be able to adapt, to do it, to find a way to be more self-sufficient. This may involve moving somewhere else and changing your current way of life. Not many will actually do this because it is so disruptive to their current normalcy. It is not comfortable to make such a big change.

Additionally most people do not believe that there will ever be such a time in which our infrastructure, our supply-chains of good and services, or our grocery stores will be disrupted for a long period of time. Our society and way of life has long ago advanced beyond the ‘primitive’ requirements of self-sufficiency (which is actually looked down upon by many) and to actually forego our modern way of life to one of basic self-sufficiency is to take a big step backwards in their minds. It is inconceivable that all of our technological advancements could some day be disrupted in such severity that their lives will actually be in danger. The system is so big that it seems impossible to fail. It’s unimaginable (to them).

But is it unimaginable to you?
Do you have what it takes to really survive long term?

(food for thought)

58 Comments

  1. We have been practicing repairing/building things without resorting to running to a store to pick up that one item that is needed. Outside of weekly groceries we have not purchased anything without exhausting all other efforts to do with something else first. We are getting very good at jury rigging things.

    The battery last week for the tractor was one item we could not work around. I suppose in time with no stores, the tractor will be of little use once we will no longer be able to replace critical parts. As long as we can keep it running, it will be a time and back saver. It’s amazing what you find you can do without, when you pretend there are no stores anymore.

    1. My dad said “I’ve got a bad habit of using what I’ve got”.

  2. “Adapt And Overcome” as it is often repeated here by one of our own. So much wisdom in those three little words, and it’s all about attitude and how you will (or do) approach things! No matter what the circumstances are, those of us who can see and acknowledge a major event like disaster/collapse/death are already actively engaged and can hopefully move forward.

    While we think that we are prepared for many problems that may come our way, we often times are only partially prepared for such events. Life has proven to most of us that unpredictable situations can fall upon us with or without warning. When I lost my youngest son 2 years ago, I was completely unprepared for his death and what would follow. While most parents have thought of that horrible “what if” and immediately acknowledge they would fall apart and not be able to continue on, if or when your child’s death does occur, you are faced to deal with one of the most horrible emotions possible. Those who have witnessed harsh death or the loss of a child would know what I am attempting to convey. No amount of “planning”, coursework, on-the-job-training, natural disasters or other death scenarios could prepare a parent for the sudden loss of their own child.

    Since that experience was the ultimate worst life-event for me, I have changed. But not for the negative — I have continued to draw from some of the experiences following his death as a form of guidance. I have used some of those experiences to continue to guide me (and some in our family) to help prepare myself and others into what may or may not be the dark-abyss of our futures.

    What I learned was that I was much, much stronger than I ever knew I was. I called upon God. I knew that I needed to have a proper and a strong attitude for what was facing me and my family. I also knew to use my knack of organization and leadership abilities to help support others and guide them through their own suffering and loss. I learned to become of greater service to other family members. Since then, I have become acutely aware of my friends’ needs, become more empathetic towards friends, and more giving to them.

    I also made myself do physical work. Assigning tasks and projects to myself helped a great deal and gave me goals to work on rather than idleness that would lead to emotional depression through grief. Being overwhelmed can be controlled if we are aware of it and know how to ‘manage’ ourselves.

    So, I set small goals and made boundaries, such as the no-go zone (I would not allow myself to lay down to cry, for example). By assigning myself a quasi-leader to our family, I was able to work through some of the grief while consoling and helping other family members. I became the ‘glue’ — it worked and has continued to work.

    Take from my experiences what you will. Feeling overwhelmed will probably get many people during a crisis — whether they are prepared or not. No matter WHAT the crisis or disaster, when we lose our ‘normal’, something dies — we will all experience parts of the grieving process as we walk towards the new ‘normal.’

    Folks have heard the phrase “a pillar of strength” said often times. I believe that during any time of crisis or disaster, there will be those who become that “pillar” — many are here, commenting or simply reading. Believe me, you can be a “pillar” to others as well as to yourself.

    We may or may not wake up some day and find that the world collapsed. We may simply be watching as the downward spiral continues to unwind our society. Either way, most of us who are HERE are in one form or another PREPARING — and fully acknowledging — that we will be faced with a personal disaster or a life-changing event. Remember to be a “pillar” — it truly can serve you and may contribute more than you will ever know towards your survival.

    1. @ Modern Throwback
      Touching comment and very true; I have found it interesting that the people that have lost someone themselves have learned what and when not to say to others that have the loss. Words are meaningless at times.
      Know your inner pain; TEOTWAWKI is never what we think it will be.
      I wish you well and the strength to look forward.
      Neal- aka NRP

    2. @ Modern Throwback

      My hat is off to you, and my heart is with you as well. When at age 30 I buried my lovely husband LEO, I too learned what it meant to be a pillar of strength.

      Now 32 years later, I stand stronger than ever, and better prepared for most emotional issues than many. Bless you!

    3. Dear Modern Throwback,

      Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your survival through such a personal and terrible loss in your life.

      I, too, believe each of us is capable of more than we give ourselves credit for, and that none of us knows what we really can do until faced with a situation requiring more than we ever thought possible. I hope to continue to be a pillar to those around me who need help, and am thankful for those who have been a pillar to me. Take care.

    4. Sorry for your tremendous loss. It’s getting through such hard times that make you stronger. May God bless you for sharing.

    5. Modern Throwback, Thank you for sharing that.
      I will remember your story and advice of being a Pillar.

    6. MT, I understand you very much. Felt the same when my husband died nearly a decade ago. I went thru a range of emotions first. And he is not the only one I lost who was part of my life. We just pick up and go and are grateful for every moment we spend with each other and cherish these moments. I admire you.

    7. Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your comments — it means a great deal. We may not know each other in person but we have some shared problems, goals, and sentiments and we tend to do well by one another.

    8. Modern Throwback,

      Just read your post…
      Thank you for sharing from your life and heart
      Thank for sharing what you learned
      You’ve inspired us greatly

      Good Shepherd bless you and keep guiding you
      God’s Comfort Peace and Strength be with you always!

    9. I feel your loss very deeply. I lost my 14 year old son 28 years ago in an assidental gunshot accident. Nothing prepared me to deal with this , especially being a mom and a nurse. I got rid of every weapon I owned, fearing I’d lose another child… But time des heal to a certain extent and I dealt with it. I am a gun owner, I trained my children in gun safety, and even though Mattie is never out of my mind I know that he would expect us to live our lives as we did before he passed away.

  3. I don’t think there’s any way for individuals to be totally self sufficient over a long period. Society would have to recreate itself into specialists similar to the 1800’s. We can grow enough food to stay fed, but wouldn’t have time to repair and manufacture all those things that break and wear out. An economy of sorts would reestablish in fairly short order.

    A catastrophe of the magnitude to throw us back over 100 years in technology would cause a die-off to the point where tools, basic building materials, and other non-energy dependent items would be in good supply for quite some time, due to the reduction in population. It wouldn’t take long for enterprising individuals to reestablish commerce, at least on a semi-regional scale.

    In the meantime, all those things learned are not lost to us. They’re written, diagrammed, and ready to be built again. It would take time, but people who have survived a year or two are the type of people who could do it. Not individually, but as a society.

    1. We also have the advantage of the things invented since the 19th century. They didn’t have Teflon tape. stainless steel wire, etc.

  4. Stacking up of “stuff” is such a small part of being prepared for a long-term survival situation! Don’t get me wrong—I’ve got my stuff thoroughly stacked. But, I’ve spent the past 8 years learning skills and using those skills to provide food for our family. It’s hard work. It’s messy. It’s time consuming and exhausting. People (including family members) think I’m a bit nuts!

    BUT…..my kitchen counter is covered in fresh tomatoes from the garden that will be canned later this week. There is yogurt in my yogurt maker, and there’s 3 varieties of fresh goat cheese in the refrigerator. There’s a pantry slap-full of home canned fruits and vegetables, and I have literally hundreds of thousands of seeds to plant on the many acres we have available for cultivation. There’s hens sitting on eggs that are due to hatch in another week or so, right next to the biddy pen that has a mama and her recently hatched chicks.

    Fresh eggs by the dozen are gathered daily, along with 1/2 gallon of fresh goat’s milk. Lord, it’s a lot of work and it’s never all caught up…BUT, the food is good and the sleep is sweet. Whether or not the S ever HTF, we are eating healthier and are at least working toward a more self-sufficient existence. If things go really bad in our world, we’re more likely to weather the storm longer than those who think dinner means hitting a drive through for some commercial poison.

  5. @NRP,
    I read your post with great interest. I would guess that there are as many view points on what is “a right view point” as there are people on earth. As far as being prepared for eternity, the correctness of one’s viewpoint is not an important issue at all. Let me propose that there is only one view point that really matters at all in the face of being prepared for eternity.

    The only view point that matters is God’s point of view, anything else is just argument for arguments sake. A man will only successfully prepare for the long term future when we with free will accept the will of God as our own and live accordingly. God will speak to us when we close our own mouth set aside our logic and listen for his voice.

    Be well and walk in Gods love.

  6. For long term survival or just plain starting over I think it’s very simple. If you have ten families you will have ten different opinions about just about everything, so those differences will have to be set aside and new communities started or reorganize the community you are in. No one person no matter how talented can do it all but by blending everyone’s talents together much can be accomplished.

    150 yrs ago most of everyday was spent just making sure your family had a roof over their head and food to eat, there was no American dream back then to buy things like ski boats and atv s, maybe a farm so they could be more self sufficient, those days may reappear in the future. So maybe having like minded people in your sphere of influence now would be a good way to plan for a uncertain future.

  7. I know I sound like a broken record…..but it is ALL ABOUT LIFESTYLE.

    If you are self sufficient, or relatively so, and have skills to share or barter, and can protect yourselves and your lifestyle, then you are more likely than not to survive.

  8. Eventually, people will die… Those left will turn from looters to pickers for survival. Supplies, parts for everything will be around for the taking, if the SHTF event becomes bad enough…

  9. I read this blog regularly. And I find good comments, and discussions here.

    This is one I have waited for, I’m beyond simple prepping. I’m actually in a way reverting back to my childhood.

    Where as poor Midwest farmers, we lived a more self reliant life style. As a family unit, we had our own daily chores to complete. Sort of a ” Divide and Conquer “.

    We also had to “Adapt and Overcome”, such a lifestyle has many hardships. And being able to tackle any skill set was almost mandatory. We didn’t have the money to call a guy, to do something.

    However we did have a community, that was always ready to help out. Also a bartering system, we had a huge Walnut grove. Others might have another item.

    What I’m getting at, is this. Regardless how self sufficient or self reliant, or how much you prepare and stock. It will come down to a community of like minded people. Working together as a unit.

    Everything will depend on it!

    My personal skill sets are too long to list. But I may need someone who has medical knowledge?

    And there is security in numbers.
    Good luck and be well.

    1. @Otarn, I agree with you that ultimately it will take a community… thanks for your comment.

    2. OTARN, MY father was born in 1912, I wasn’t born until 1949, he was a young adult about the time the depression hit, he also had a dairy and hog farm in Michigan, as a young person my brothers and I were taught what it took to get by without running to the corner store to pick something up.

      We had to make things to fix farm equipment or cut and thread our own pipe for the water system, the term ‘re-use was just a way of life, I’ve straightened so many nails in my life you could build a house and guess what, I still do those things.

  10. I was inventive as a child. Doing without while growing up was the incentive I had to make it myself, do it myself. I had been dirt poor to rich to poor, and bending like a sapling to adjust to changes. I knew things would get better when I was poor, but this time “get better” won’t been seen in the far horizon for quite some time.

    Winds of change are coming. It’s not just the government that causes it, it’s your neighbors, your family members, or even some of you, and the majority of this country want it, it could be devastating. So while I adapt to the fellowship of life, my inner survivor kicks in and no matter my losses, I will overcome.

  11. I am one of the folks Ken describes as living in a place where long term survival in the aftermath of such a disaster is not feasible.

    I have come this far in life being resourceful, resilient and so far I have reacted well to some sudden and jolting circumstances that have not gone my way. But, as long as we live where we do my hubby and I have only the slimmest chances of survival in a true SHTF scenario. We simply don’t have the land and other resources needed to survive off the grid here, so wits, resilience and basic preps will only go so far.

    We are diligently looking for the right relocation place even though full-time relocation is still several years away. I agree with everyone else that it will take a combination of knowledge, the will to survive, and being part of a like-thinking and behaving community to survive. I am so pleased for those of you who belong to prep groups, who have friends/neighbors and extended families who also prep, and who have already put in so much work toward long-term survival. We will get there, even with my somewhat skeptical hubby. It’s just going to take us a little longer… I just have to hope we have a bit longer : )

    1. SO CAL GAL, think of taking a long extended camping trip, could you say set up a wall tent with a wood stove in your back yard and live in it, can everything that’s in your freezer and forget about gourmet dinners, picking up wood scraps for your stove. I just bet you could go a long time.

      1. Hi JD,

        Thanks for your reply.

        My biggest problem is OPSEC (thanks Ken and NRP for the lessons on this). I live in a coastal community where every house is built to the property limit lines and we are all pretty much on top of each other. Left alone, we could go months with our food stores (still improving water situation) but everyone around us will know we have food the minute we cook something outdoors.

        The two of us are no match for hungry neighbors and the desperate groups that will eventually form to find people like us who still have food to be taken. As Ken points out in this thread, folks in places like where I am just don’t have the resources at hand needed for very long-term survival. So, continuing to work on the back-up plans. :)

        1. So cal gal, here is what we did, we also live near the coast in the state north of you, we feel pretty confident that our location is good for most events but every plan needs a contingency plan. We take our hunting and camping trips in unpopulated areas east of the mountains, we have forest service maps of the entire state and whenever on our trips we locate a water source we note it on the map, not for this to be a permanent location but someplace to regroup. I’m not naive enough to think I’m the only one with this idea but I think most of the others would be pretty much like minded and we could contribute to each other’s welfare.

    2. @ So Cal Gal

      I wanted to say something after I read your comment; I want you to realize how far you really are in your preps. Now I don’t know what “stuff” you have or what “skills” you have, but there are 3 things you need to take in mind.

      First, you have actually started in your preps, gathering items (food, water, etc.) you believe will help you “outlast” the next person down the road or your neighbor (even if only a few months or so), that’s a HUGE plus. Millions have not even though of preparing for more than tonight’s dinner out on the town. I believe the number that are into “prepping” is something like 3-5% of the population.

      Second, you seem to be learning what it would take to survive a SHTF, meaning skills, the skills you may need to GOOD or Bug-Out so the speak. Also the skill set to hunker down and recognize when it’s time to move. That is an extremely important skill; you do NOT want to be trying to GOOD when the other 25 million are, Plus you are learning the skills to live without and make/preserve/substitute/etc. after the SHTF if needed.

      Third, you have the “mindset” of someone that will survive a SHTF. This is probably the most important thing you have next to your Family and your Health.

      I guess when I read “I am one of the folks Ken describes as living in a place where long term survival in the aftermath of such a disaster is not feasible.” To me it sounds like you’re somewhat discouraged by where your “at”, do NOT be. You must realize how far you are, and how well you’re doing. Rome was not built in a day, and I would bet that most of the more “vocal” people here have been doing this for a long long time. If one believed TSHTF is going to hit XYZ at ABC time than this would be easy, for most of us this is a lifestyle, and a life-long endeavor. From what I gather you’re fairly new to preparing in this manner. Again, realize how far you have come, NOT how far you have to go.

      Lastly, please do not feel like you’re in the wrong place. If you have the “stuff”, the “skills” and the “will” you will be in good shape, Yes you may have to leave the area, but you’re a survivor, remember that.
      NRP

      1. Thanks so much, NRP!

        I have been chewing on everything you were kind enough to share with me and say to me, and you are right. I do have a good head start. I already think differently, and have been running through many “what if” scenarios in my mind in recent months and coming up ideas of what we might need – what it might take to survive.

        I do have more “stuff” and I do have more knowledge. And until I have more favorable geography, I will remember your words of encouragement: “You are a survivor”. NRP, you are awesome… thank you!

        1. @ So Cal Gal
          You are welcome.
          And kick that “somewhat skeptical hubby” of yours in the posterior, and get him onboard :-)
          NRP

    3. So Cal Gal
      Actually you are not alone in your section of S CA, there is a group in the area. Where exactly I do not know, but if it hits the fan they most likely they would find you. It has been awhile since I heard from the young person who took over the leadership of their group.
      They were trained by a retired SF gentleman, who unfortunately we lost about a year ago. They are in your general area of operations, so do not be disheartened. This group was trained by the best, as he served in the group my dh was in during Nam.

      1. Thanks, Antique.

        Living in the suburbs I just have not met anyone in my area who in any way seemed even remotely interested in prep. Not even in the more mainstream topics that tend to go along with folks who prepare, such as home canning, or going to a gun range for target practice, or having a large vegetable garden. I’ll continue to keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to meet new people – and ALWAYS with an abundance of caution.

        1. So Cal Gal
          You will need to look to the East of your area near the divide. Should a time come to pass and you need the community support I will give you the clues to find them via Ken.

        2. A sneakier way to find “them” would be to survey your area using google earth. Find homes with large vegetable gardens or fruit trees. How you meet them would be trickier. Maybe ask someone if they have space you can rent for your own garden?

        3. When I was growing up we “borrowed” unused gardens all the time. We had a good sized garden of our own, but it wasn’t enough for 11 people. So we’d ask people in the neighborhood if we could use theirs. Later we let others use our garden in the same way.

        4. Thanks, Lauren… and checking out aerial shots for big gardens is a really good idea… kind of makes me feel like a stalker, though ;)

        5. I know. I thought about someone else finding me this way and my brain went “.gov!”

          But it’s one way. If nothing else you may find spaces in your area that could be converted to a community garden and maybe get your neighbors interested.

          I’m going to go sneakily plant grape vines in one of our parks. :) Let them climb in these huge old pine trees.

        6. SCG, look towards Hesperia left of I15, Victorville, Apple Valley and also Mountain View. These areas have kindred kind like us. Also, you might want to check out reading the Fort Irwin post newspaper if its online, to get a start in getting to know folks

        7. Texas,

          Thank you – I think you are right. I have been mentally dismissing some of these areas because I tend to think of them as dry and inhospitable, but obviously they cannot all be that way or no one would be there… I’ll keep my eyes open.

        8. There are veterans there, lots of them and kindred. I wish I could be of more help, but I hope the paper is a good start. Just read it, you may see some news in there…
          PS: I spent nearly seven years in the Mojave, living on post, pretty much close to Death Valley itself…it is a place which is very inhospitable. BUT, you can do it and you have already started with more then most people. Also, it really depends if you want to stay in Socal or go to another state. You might want to check out AZ.
          Never quit, keep doing things quietly and one step at a time :)

  12. My mother grew up during the great depression and I remember the stories of what it took to survive for a family with 6 kid. My father left home when I was 7 years old so we were on welfare till my mom got secretarial training and got a job. I grew up working our veggie garden, mowing lawns, picking berries and doing any odd job to make a little money.

    With that background I have always tried to live frugally, work hard & smart and save $$$ for a rainy day. My wife and I have several skills between us but we realize in a long term SHTF situation we cannot do it all ourselves. To make up for our deficiencies we have associated with folks that can do the stuff that we can’t. We do not have a specific group but we have some pretty close relationships with people within 2-8 miles of us.

    I think in a long term scenario that small communities will have to form to be able to survive. My great fear is the implementation of martial law. Yes electricity loss is an awful thing to deal with, but it can be done and we have done some preparations for that. We try to never stop learning stuff, increasing knowledge and having a book or hard copy for reference is very important.

    Having a good positive attitude is important and has helped us get through many uncomfortable situations. We rely most of all on our faith in God for direction in our lives.

    This a good thought provoking subject and all of us need to take time to discuss it with our mate and family members. Getting by for a year is one thing, but 3-4 years or more is quite another.

  13. I believe that when picking up preps from stores, we need to focus on supplies we cannot easily obtain. Such as sugar, salt, vinegar, etc. What you can grow or obtain without stores is replenish-able. Learn everything you can, survival depends on what you do now.

  14. Long Term Collapse?
    Seems like researchers at Oxford University see the possibility..

    http://www.viralnova.com/end-of-days/

    “If You’re Working On A Five-Year Plan For Your Future, You Might Want To Read This

    A report issued by a team of researchers at Oxford University entitled “Global Catastrophic Risks” warns of a dramatic increase in the likelihood of apocalyptic events that could eliminate 10 percent or more of the human population within the next five years.”

    1. I forget the name of the website right now but IIRC it has the US population down by about 90% in the next 15 years or so.

  15. In the Corps our motto was often “Semper Gumby”, or always flexible when it came to getting things done. We never seemed to have the equipment or personnel for the job so we more often than not had to be creative and flexible to work with what we had at that time. I always felt that it brought out the inner MacGyver in everyone.

  16. I recommend you go spend a month in a third world country, and not in a hotel. Go find some country with a similar climate to where you live and then go spend some time there, you will learn hands on how to live without.

    Spending time in rural Baltics I have learned some things I have brought home and used. Also you will learn something very quickly…most places in the world like that still have community… something most of us in the states no nothing about.

    Go visit some of the historic villages and learn what it was like in the early days of the colonies and store as much medicine as you can and learn about alternative medicine. Medicine and sanitation in food and waste are some of the reasons that the first world is not the third world…

  17. To all on this site that may consider relocation:

    I am a licensed medical professional and, for now, I show up for work. I will do this for as long as I am paid. I am prepared to trade services and barter in the future.(I knew a few old country doctors that did exactly that in areas of this country during times of recession.)

    Many who have read this blog for years know how I left California when my boss was going to pay me in IOUs. I was the rat that jumped off the ship before it sank. I always tend to: Keep my eyes open to change around me to not only weather but public sentiment, local economy and political change as well. Noah built the Ark before the rain began. I relocated to another state to continue the work I do with my preps, spouse, and pets (4 cats and a dog).

    My hobbies are few and affordable. If I cannot afford the time money or risk of injury, I forego that hobby and leave it to somebody else.( No Heli-skiing in France in my future.) There is a saying among tech workers in the Silicon valley of San Jose, CA: The 2 signs you are making too much money are a mistress and a cocaine addiction. Learning new skills in of themselves can be a great hobby in that it is time well spent.

    Faith in God is what provides the motivation for me to show up for work and do the right thing on a daily basis. This is one of the first times I’ve commented on faith on this site but the area of work I do, we work with patients from cradle to grave. I cannot ignore the personal beliefs of the patients or their families. I try to treat all with respect for the patient and their beliefs. All hospitals have a division of Pastoral Services and the first nurses prior to the Crimean War were actually monks, nuns and priests within monasteries over 400 years ago.

    Enough said, I’ve talked too much already. Continue to live well, love each other and learn new skills as we go through this life because Life is a terminal condition.

    1. Love everything about your post. Faith in God first and everything else comes after that. It’s only because of Him that we have air to breathe.

  18. This is why my most valuable long term preps are seeds. Sure, I have a enough for a month or two of on hand food (longer if we ration), but I can’t justify stocking up for years and years of survival, especially since the scenario(s) that would create such long term survival are very unlikely. If long term survival became necessary it’s too difficult to predict what you would do or where you would (or could) go. My neighborhood could become a small farming community, or it could be too dangerous to stay. Wherever I end up – seeds will be my most valuable resource. They’re cheap and easy to transport in a bailout situation.

    1. I have seeds in a thermos in my BOB, and bottles of seeds in the refrigerator ready to grab if I had to leave. I could probably supply a couple hundred homes on melons and squash, a small neighborhood on legumes, and a few homes on tomatoes. People think I’m strange. :) My food storage is to get us through until I can get my first crop harvested.

  19. Great Postings. So inspirational. Learn skills, ask God for wisdom, be aware of your surroundings and prepare, prepare, prepare. We are learning and I feel like I have a late start, however, it’s not too late. Most people are so not prepared and we are going to have to be the pillars and salt of the earth. Community is going to be very important. Gone are the days where people are going to stand in a food line. The world has changed and it’s not for the better.

  20. Excellent article. So much food for thought. I especially related to the statement that self-sufficiency is looked down upon by many. I’ve experienced that more than once.

    My son totally disagrees with me that we could one day experience economic collapse or a catastrophic event of some type that could profoundly change our lives.

    And my girlfriend has ridiculed my thoughts, plans and efforts with prepping and becoming self-sufficient to the point where I don’t even talk about it with her anymore.

    I see so many people who are complacent, and totally dependent on our current “just in time” supply system to provide them with clothes, food, gasoline, toys and other conveniences. They have no concept of the possibility that the supply chain they depend on could one day be disrupted and their lives could very well be in jeopardy.

  21. nuclear winter will prohibit the growing of food. There’s not enough horses and mules anyway, they will be used as food. Starting over can only be done in the best of circumstances. The worst of circumstances your just dreaming.

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