We’re all preparing for a time when life is harder than it is now, whatever flavor of “when it hits the fan” that might be. Many of us store food and gear that we don’t use on a regular basis. Some might be saving it strictly for that rainy day. I’m not judging. I’ve purchased an item or two that might be hard to find if things fall apart, but I don’t use often now.
We balance our everyday lives with modern creature comforts, with one eye on the potential for things to fall apart. This presents a potential problem for some of us; we may face a potential shock to the system.
When I was in the Navy (I’m sure other branches could tell a similar story), we would spend six months at sea, working 12 hour days, going to port in foreign countries for a few days of R&R. We were lucky to get mail once a week. When we got back home we suffered culture shock. The music and fashion were different and we hadn’t heard of any of the movies that were now out. You wouldn’t believe how much people can change in six short months! Hence, so many “dear John letters” and divorces after a deployment. We lived longing to get home, but when we were finally there, things were different and it took some getting used to.
My guess is that with the advances in technology and the Internet, things are a bit different in the military for those who’re deployed now. I’m sure they’re still very difficult but I bet there isn’t as much culture shock. The military can now use Facebook, Skype or other technology to stay integrated with their families. With the Internet they can keep abreast of the popular things back home. I have visited several prepper forums that have active posting members that were deployed overseas.
I think many preppers have a segregated approach to preparedness, much like when I was in the Navy. By “segregated” I mean that we prepare and put things aside for “when it hits the fan”. When it does hit the fan we’re not used to living that way. It will take some time to get used to the new normal.
I’m not suggesting we live now as if things had fallen apart or like life as we knew it is over. I think an integrated approach, to some extent, makes sense. For example, planning to cook over a fire as your main way of cooking if the grid goes down, you might consider cooking one meal a week that way right now. If you have some equipment on a shelf, take it down and either learn to use it, or make sure it still works.
I’ve written previously about ways you can drill to test your preparedness. Testing them and adding some of that lifestyle to your way of life now will show you where your holes are and will limit any future shock to a new reality.
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