…it’s that I have no idea how I would really be able to survive if SHTF. Seriously. You see, there’s a weird conundrum afoot with respect to this particular problem. On the one hand we have the belief in OPSEC, save yourself (and your immediate family), too bad for everybody else mentality that is generally a part of most prepper’s mentalities. Yet, on the other hand, it’s fairly clear that in any true long term, SHTF, mutant zombie biker scenario you really can’t go it alone–even as a family unit–and you, therefore, MUST include additional people and families into your prepping to aid with security, gardening, and any number of other survival-related tasks.
The problem, obviously, is that of (1) either convincing your family and close friends to see life and the future the way that you do and, thereby, encouraging them to prepare or (2) spending your own hard-earned money to purchase supplies such as food with the expectation that YOU will be supplying them these basic needs and in return these people will do what’s needed, such as pull guard duty, wash clothes, cook meals, tend the garden, etc. I also recognize that this is an “either/or” fallacy and that there are potentially other possible choices but I feel that most of us are going to be facing one of the two aforementioned options, like it or not.
As for what I’ve learned the past few months…
- With respect to point one above: Most people plainly do NOT see the future the way that I do… and I’m afraid they never will. Regardless of what people say, no close family or friends (other than my in-laws) attempt any level of preparedness at all. None whatsoever and it still amazes me. People even talk about things like an economic collapse, the dollar being worthless, and so on but what conclusion do they draw from it? None. Sometimes it makes me wonder if I’M THE CRAZY ONE. Maybe I am. I’m not saying TEOTWAWKI will occur tomorrow or even next week; heck, I haven’t a clue. But I can see the writing on the wall. Why does nobody else?
- With respect to point two above: It’s VERY hard living with other people. Due to our personal life tragedy a few months back we’ve had numerous family and friends staying with us up until about two weeks ago and I can honestly say I’m glad everyone is gone. And, as a result, I can’t say that I would really want the vast majority of my family and friends to be living under the same roof as me. Just a few months time was enough to remind me how set in my ways I am. Therefore, I’m not seeing how it would even work logistically anymore. Sure, I had thoughts and some plans but maybe now I need to reconsider it all. I’m not so sure that I would either want to suppor these people OR attempt to rely on them to do anything I needed done in a SHTF scenario.
- With respect to “other possible choices”: I don’t know about you but I’ve looked in the past for like-minded people and essentially had no luck. It makes me wonder where you all are! (Come to think of it you must be living in Texas.) The world is rife with people who say things and have the best of intentions but very few who actually take action. And when you put it all together that what it’s all about: finding people who not only see things the way that you or I do but also who are willing, ready, and able to take action to prepare themselves for the future and, in so doing, will not burden or hinder you and I to do the same. Thus far I’ve met none of these people. If you have then consider yourself very fortunate.
Ultimately, I’d say that if things could really get as bad as some predict during a SHTF scenario then we’re all going to be very lucky to get through it unscathed despite what we do. That said, I’d rather have a good plan in place, supplies to see me through, and people to rely on but thus far that’s not entirely the case. I truly hope you have better luck than I.
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