This happened to a lot of folks pre-Y2K, then post 9/11. Groups formed, groups dissolved. Friendships formed, friendships died with a few exceptions. Folks learned what normalcy bias was, then they went right back to the I don't care mode. A lot of 'stuff' was bought and never unboxed, good values were to be had within 6 months after the dirt settled. Shrinks and IT people made a fortune. Rookie survivalists bemoaned the fact that nothing happened during Y2K, many of us were damn glad it didn't. You need to realize that no matter how smart, rich, strong or psychologically grounded you think you are you generally can do little to control destiny, but you can control how you handle what comes down the pike.
Knowledge is power..................
Reading and listening are your best avenues for gaining power. Then practice what you read and process what you hear. Learn to sift the useful information from the general BS. Most survivalist books are filled with drama, but they generally have useful information in them. Sitting around listening to older folks and folks that have been through really bad times is the best time you can spend.
Chance favors the prepared mind..............
If you are not prepared as well as you can be, based on your personal situation, you will not be able to take advantage of good stuff that comes your way, or will not be able to avoid the bad stuff.
It is easy to get overwhelmed.................
Many of us in the 80's and 90's finally learned it ain't the stuff you have its how and if you can use it. I had a 1 year hiatus myself. Don't let worry and fretting control you. Take a break from it.
Gidgits and gadgets..........
They aren't worth a hoot if you wait and pull them out of the box when the alligators are snapping at your ass. Its better to have less and know every use for it then to have more and have it collect dust. I mean honestly how many ways do you need to start a frickin fire unless you are living in the woods? I know people that that have trunks full of fire starting stuff and they live in a house without a fire place.
Do you actually think you will live in a grid-down, bio-warfare or true global pandemic that actually kills people rather than make them sick? I have read that there may be as much as a 75% die-off rate in the first year. What will be left is people that have prepared and found people with like minds to form bonds with. and people that want to kill you and or take your stuff. If you think you can do it alone you are already dead. All it would take is a group of mutant zombie gangs and you are dead. You have to sleep sometime. Overwhelming force will win.
With all that said you can only do what you can do. Do the best you can with what you have. It doesn't cost to read, study and listen. I keep coming back to several books that I have recommended for many years. There are hundreds other than these. Buy the damn books, it will be useless to have a thumb drive when there ain't no power.
One Second After
Lights Out by David Crawford (probably the best overall)
Lights Out by Ted Koppel
The A. American series
LDS Preparedness Manual
The Fox Fire series
Patriots the Coming Collapse (not the best IMHO)
Grid Down series by Buckshot Hemming (Many of you older folks that have been in this a while will remember Buckshot. Bought my first set of traps from him in 1999.)
Country Wisdom and Know How
Back to Basics Handbook
When There is No Doctor
When There is No Dentist (I personally hate this thought)
and finally The Prepper's Blueprint by Tess Pennington (an outstanding piece of work)
That's it folks, take it for what it's worth. You can either be in the 75%
or do the best you can to be in the 25%
.
