Shoveling off the ice on the driveway yesterday I got to thinking (face it, that's pretty mindless work). Somewhere between scaring the crap out of ourselves about what might happen and figuring that there was no way you could cope no matter how hard you tried has to be a happy medium.
If you read much prepper fiction the thought of even a small Armageddon - if there even is such a thing as a small one- can be paralyzing.
Is it possible that an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) can happen - either man made or natural - and dump us back into the non-electric age? Yeah, it could - although I suspect statistically it's a lot more likely that we'll get a howling nor' easter in the next three months that will just interrupt our electricity for a while.
Trying to get ready for any and all potential disasters at once will sometimes cause an overwhelming desire to just stick your head in the sand and figure that since you'll never be ready why even try.
So with an eye to the sky what do we really need to do to prepare for problems. Take it in small bites! Incidentals - the things you never think of until you need them. Like cold pills or cough medicine that you "always have" until you don't....and you're sick. Yesterday was a strong reminder for me because my lower back was letting me know it was angry because I shoveled - heavy wet snow and a layer of ice. Do I have ibuprofen enough? Actually, yes I do because last time I noticed I was running low, I bought another bottle.
How about during one of those lulls between episodes of your show on TV when the mind-numbing commercials are on why not jot down the OTC items that you use on a regular basis and make a vow to keep them on hand.
And it doesn't necessarily have to be just pain meds: there are seemingly silly little comfort items to consider. I'm one of those people who can't stand a rough fingernail and if I don't have a nail file handy I'll just bite the nail off! Ugly, I admit! How about baby powder (or powder of your choice), or hand lotion, or, for that matter, deodorant? So check out what you have in house and next trip to the store get a little extra of the types of things that make you feel better even if you're not sick!
It's really easy to just pick up a couple extra of those items that you use all the time when you're out and about. You don't have to make a huge push to stock up all at once but if you had a list that you could work down through over time it's surprising how fast you'll be all set! As a side effect you will find yourself forming the habit of replacing things before you run out.
A couple years ago there was a storm coming and the Weather Channel was chanting the "OMG get ready" mantra for days ahead of time. I found myself with a sense of urgency that I should be DOING SOMETHING TO GET READY! Then I realized I already had - I had stocked up on the things I'd need, I had gas for the things that needed gas (do you remember to keep your car at least half full?), I had food for the things that needed food (don't forget the pets) and I was all set as far as I could tell.
Yup, I was ready to rock and roll - I'd planned to cook on a camping stove out in the greenhouse if I lost power - I didn't plan on the tree that crushed the greenhouse so that plan didn't pan out. But at least I had a plan. Even if you have to deviate from it, a plan gives you a place to start!
And a place to start leaves you feeling a lot less like that thing in front of you is the eight ball!
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