Almost every relationship goes through stages. Relationships with
friends, colleagues, family, and spouses. I especially think of people
in Christianity talking in terms of their "walk" with Christ. All of
these have stages along the way. Prepping and Homesteading and Survival
are no different. So here I offer to you a re-working of the five
stages in relationships, viewed through the lens of the prepper. Here
are The Five Stages of the Prepper Journey.
1. Courtship and Infatuation.
Love at first sight. Infatuation. Interest. Not sure. These all describe this initial stage. You've been awakened to the need to be more self-sufficient/self-reliant lifestyle. You take tentative steps. You read a little. You check out some blogs. You may even listen to a podcast or two (may I suggest Homestead Dividends on itunes?). Your relationship is far from mature, but you've taken the first step and the hardest one. You did something.
As your infatuation with prepping grows inside you, you reach out. Some people think you're nuts. You hear about militias, wackos and other fringey groups. Are you heading there? Can you still be accepted by friends/colleagues/family and do this? I want to be seen as normal, and external forces say I'm not. (I have to add that these feelings are perfectly normal...and so are you.) FEMA itself asks all people to have an emergency bag to be able to run out the door with in case of a disaster. You've seen hurricane, earthquakes, and fires, civil wars and riots on tv...being prepared isn't crazy. Create your EEB--emergency evacuatiuon bag (or bugout bag)...one for you and every member of the family. See my website for packing lists for your EEB.
3. Re-evaluation and identity formation
This stage begins with a fork in the road, when the prepper/homesteader/survivalist begins to evaluate whether he or she wants to continue to prep. You reflect and re-evaluate
If you have survived until this point, there is an interest in reconnecting.You begin to change INSIDE. You feel different. You're more confident and secure about the choices you've made. This lifestyle does make sense. Preparing for emergencies, getting out of debt, planning for your (and your family's) future all makes perfect sense. You have a garden, an orchard and notice you are more self-reliant. You've developed skills you never thought you'd have. You see problems as things to be solved, not obstacles to ignore or hide from.
5. Reconciliation, Acceptance
This final stage--completion. You take responsibility for your life. You prep, you save, you live deliberately, and you love who you've become.
There is an acceptance of you are: YOU ARE A PREPPER/HOMESTEADER/SURVIVASLIST/D-I-Yer
Ep 170_The 5 Stages of the Prepper's Journey
1. Courtship and Infatuation.
Love at first sight. Infatuation. Interest. Not sure. These all describe this initial stage. You've been awakened to the need to be more self-sufficient/self-reliant lifestyle. You take tentative steps. You read a little. You check out some blogs. You may even listen to a podcast or two (may I suggest Homestead Dividends on itunes?). Your relationship is far from mature, but you've taken the first step and the hardest one. You did something.
- One of the most important things to do in this phase is to get your finances in control. Being debt free probably isn't realistic. Getting a hold on you finances and formulating a plan IS realistic and downright essential.
- You should find a way to spend less than you earn and begin the difficult process of digging out.
- This is where you have to decide...is this crazy or do I want to learn more?
- You look into prepper lists and see what may lie ahead.
- Consider buying one prepping item at the store each week or pay. Even if it's a buck at the dollar store. Think essentials. Food, clothing and things for an emergency, like flashlights and back-up heat are to be considered.
- If you camp/hunt, you're off to a good start. Since camping is cool, having a sleeping bag and some candles doesn't seem weird.
As your infatuation with prepping grows inside you, you reach out. Some people think you're nuts. You hear about militias, wackos and other fringey groups. Are you heading there? Can you still be accepted by friends/colleagues/family and do this? I want to be seen as normal, and external forces say I'm not. (I have to add that these feelings are perfectly normal...and so are you.) FEMA itself asks all people to have an emergency bag to be able to run out the door with in case of a disaster. You've seen hurricane, earthquakes, and fires, civil wars and riots on tv...being prepared isn't crazy. Create your EEB--emergency evacuatiuon bag (or bugout bag)...one for you and every member of the family. See my website for packing lists for your EEB.
3. Re-evaluation and identity formation
This stage begins with a fork in the road, when the prepper/homesteader/survivalist begins to evaluate whether he or she wants to continue to prep. You reflect and re-evaluate
- You miss being in love with the idea of prepping.
- Paying off debt is less fun because the wasteful spending and irresponsibility stop. What's fun about being responsible?
- Keep your eyes on the prize. The debt-free, independent prepper life is on the other side of the mountain, and you're half-way up the side... and the summit, still far off...is now within view.
- You're closer than you think and you're also feeling more distant than ever before. The people who used to enjoy wasting money with you notice your absence on shopping trips or wasteful, expensive dinners out. Your not mr. moneybags anymore...you're more serious and you worry about the future because you have woken up.
- What's worse, you still have many people in your life living the same old way: clueless, in debt, and ill-prepared for the emergencies of life.
If you have survived until this point, there is an interest in reconnecting.You begin to change INSIDE. You feel different. You're more confident and secure about the choices you've made. This lifestyle does make sense. Preparing for emergencies, getting out of debt, planning for your (and your family's) future all makes perfect sense. You have a garden, an orchard and notice you are more self-reliant. You've developed skills you never thought you'd have. You see problems as things to be solved, not obstacles to ignore or hide from.
5. Reconciliation, Acceptance
This final stage--completion. You take responsibility for your life. You prep, you save, you live deliberately, and you love who you've become.
There is an acceptance of you are: YOU ARE A PREPPER/HOMESTEADER/SURVIVASLIST/D-I-Yer
Ep 170_The 5 Stages of the Prepper's Journey
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