Most of the posts on this blog have a thread running through them that when reflected upon reveals a disquieting state of affairs: that we are transitioning to a new society. There is so much change going on all over the world that trying to unpack it results in something more akin to misrepresenting the flickers of light on the surface of the ocean for the very ocean itself. In most areas of our civilization we are seeing rapid change. There are many very credible sources claiming that the world is teetering on the edge of economic crisis. As one writer observed in Prepper Fortress,
Countries are starting to fall like dominos. Argentina, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain have gone into economic collapse. Europe is entering their economic collapse this very weekend, as a bank holiday was declared and haircut announce on all bank deposits. Italy is very close to an economic collapse.
You don't have to look far in the news to see this; in fact, if you do a gut-check, you can sense that things aren't good--and that's a mild way of putting it.
As we're in transition, it's time now to begin preparing your plan. If you had to endure a power-outage for 12 hours, would you be prepared? What about a 72 hour food shortage? Are you in the right physical condition to face challenging times? Are you reliant on prescriptions? Are you addicted to drugs and/or alcohol? Are you in a financial position to survive a month or two without a job? Do you have things that you can barter in an emergent collapsed economy? These are things that you should be thinking about now when there's time.
Below is a quick list of things to get you started in your preparation, if you haven't already. And while Canada hasn't been impacted as much as Europe or the US, it is plausible that as a system we are so intertwined internationally that what happens to one will inevitably happen to us. It might not, but it's important to be prepared.
There are a number of great websites out there with very specific and well-documented information, some of which I will link to here. My purpose for this post is to get you thinking about it, and begin the process of researching for yourself and getting prepared in the best way you can. It doesn't mean dashing off right now to build an underground bunker surrounded with barbed wire and 24/7 surveillance; but it does mean giving some thought and putting some resource aside for the right time. Maybe you're the kind of person who loves serving others--this too will help you.
1. (Re-)Build Family Ties: Having strong family bonds in times of uncertainty is vital; you never know when you will be needed, or when you will need the help of a loved one. If you have fallen out of communication with some of your family, or have moved away from them, consider ways of getting closer with them.
2. Build Community: Having a strong community of friends and relations is also important. A strong community is built around trust; and when the world is uncertain, it's important--as the case with family--to have strong bonds with non-family members. Social capital in a collapsed economy is a tremendous asset; being alone in such times can be fatal.
3. Learn to Grow Food: If you haven't done so already, start a garden. It's a good time to do it when food is still in relative abundance--you can practice techniques, and not worry if things don't turn out. This is one of the most important ways you and your family will survive in a period of collapse. Chickens and rabbits are very good sources of food. If you don't know how to do it, there are plenty of resources out there to get you started.
4. Get a Personal List: Survival expert and acclaimed author, James Wesley Rawles--whose work in this area is prolific--suggests having a personal list of items that you have stored away, such as prescription glasses, prescription drugs, comforts, birth control, a small library of books, etc.
5. Get In Shape: If you are carrying extra weight, lose it. If you are inactive, get out there. Begin to build your strength and endurance a bit. I'm not saying you need to run 10K every day; but get out for a walk once a day and cut down on junk food--you'll notice a difference. Self-sufficiency and maintenance take a great deal of on-going strength.
6. The Basics: The Economic Collapse blog suggests the following basics:
- an axe
- a can opener
- flashlights
- battery-powered radio
- extra batteries
- lighters or matches
- fire extinguisher
- blankets
- sewing kit
- duct tape
- tools
7. Upskill to Usefulness: Do you know how to farm? Learn. Do you know how to service your car? Learn. Do you know how to build stuff? Learn.
8. Build a home-business: If you are good at farming or fixing cars or renovating and repairing homes, you might consider starting a home business that can be used to generate income in the event companies start laying masses off. Being self-sufficient financially will be important.
9. Self-reliant: This is not to suggest being a 'selfie' or holding the false belief that you don't need anyone; rather, it's important that you learn to do things yourself, such as grow food, repair things in your house, etc. During a collapse, the services we take for granted will most likely not be available.
10. Stay Informed: It's important to begin now--if you haven't already--to understand the times we're living in. Story after story, I read that we are in the midst of a transition to a new civilization. Will it emerge out of crisis? I don't know. Will it be a completely different world? Yes. Look around: politics, technology, environment, economics--every part of our world is in tremendous flux. Do research daily; follow both conventional and non-conventional media sources; read books; and above all, keep your eyes and ears open. Ask yourself: given the data I've read, where do I see this whole thing going over the next 3-5 years? And what would I need to prepare for if the scenario I just surmised came true? If you don't trust your own predictions, check out those of others, staring with the links throughout this post.
Don't believe me? That's ok. I'm not saying that tomorrow is going to be doomsday; but it's hard to ignore what's going on around us; and being prepared for several different scenarios is always a good thing. If you're skeptical, do the research yourself and keep an open mind. As with all issues in our world, you'll see a spectrum of beliefs and strategies. The key is to find the thread that connects them all, and test whether that thread is plausible. If it is, then your next step is to get a list together. Hopefully this post helped start the whole process.
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