How do you help yourself to feel "ready"/prepared?

[bellbird]

I know that we can never be fully prepared for everything; the unpredictability life tends to get in the way of that.

But what strategies do you use/ checkpoints you make sure of, to help yourself feel as prepared as possible for a range of possible scenarios?

-I know several people here have spoken about having at least a certain amount of gas in their tank.
-I don't drive, so that one doesn't apply personally, but being in footwear that I know I could walk for several hours in if needed, or run in if needed, is helpful.
-Not letting my phone go below a certain amount of battery (learnt that the hard way -- triggered, suddenly out walking in the middle of the night and somewhat the middle of nowhere; 8% battery :rolleyes: ) (phone = torch, map, clock, contact, etc).
-Being relatively fed and watered all of the time; not -too- hungry or dehydrated that it would impair me if there was a sudden change of plan.
-Having money on my person (for buying food, water, place to stay, transport, etc if applicable).
-Fitness - cardio, strength - also very helpful for many scenarios.

 

[littleoc]

Water on my person or nearby :D

Also phone charged. Extra clothes on if it’s cold. Running shoes, always, often nonslip ones. Something I could use as a weapon — tho I’ve been doing that less lately!

 

[Sideways]

Phone, poo bags (for doggo!!), water for both of us, petrol in the car, wallet.

Any scenario I need to get away from? That's enough.

Investing too heavily in my "how do I be ready for anything?" brain is going to feed my anxiety, so I keep it small and practical.

 

[Warrior Chicken]

In addition to many stated so far, for me: Pocket knife always, my pocket rock I can touch when I need to check-in.

Have a go bag on or near me at all times with basic trauma care, laptop for research or to conduct transactions, basic wilderness survival kit, flashlight, spare batteries, 550 chord, multi-tool, wire cutter.....
Ok, I’m sure you all think I’m weird now.

 

[LuckiLee]

Nope, not weird @Warrior Chicken. I'd think you were J.

J always has flashlights everywhere, a pocket knife and good tires on the car.

He needs the lights on all the time. He has to feel safe enough before we turn them off to watch a movie or something. "Shadows are bad".

Doors need to be locked!!

He needs to know where I'm at and that I'm safe.

He needs to know where all his things are. I don't dare move any of his stuff. (Anymore. Lol)

He needs to back into parking spaces.

He needs to know that I know what to do if "something" happens. He quizzes me every once in a while. "What would you do if".... Or, "if blah blah blah happens I want you to"...

When we go to new places or people's homes he checks for exits and will do a few perimeter checks disguised as a smoke break.

The list goes on. What can I say, the man is vigilant. It's our normal. ???

 

[Ronin]

... Coffee, more my pain meds than pain meds.

 

[Mee]

When I was a child I went through a phase of taking a small suitcase packed with my favourite things everywhere with me.

Now? I note that mobile phones have made everything a lot easier. Information at our fingertips. Unless we think our IT will be traced and VPNs bypassed. I have photos of my documents though I am dubious about this one: if someone hacked my accounts they could steal them; I just doubt they would want to- the law of averages is that I need a copy of my documents more than anyone else wants them. I am really aware of not wanting to draw attention to plans of leaving or being uneasy. I try and have some money in my account that I could withdraw, to always have cash in my wallet. I always have biodegradable dog poop bags in my purse too ( and a decent size purse) with a rope slip lead on it ( so many times that’s mean use ful, catching loose sheep, cows or securing things ) . I am more comfortable not labelling contacts in phone or in the GPS systems in a way instantly identifiable to others. Refillable bottle for water or a hot drink. Another layer. ( in purse). But really, I have my wallet and the small stash in bank so I could run and provide for a short term disaster scenario in a strange location, while looking like I am just out running errands or whatever.


In case of household disasters I keep meaning to do an inventory for our insurers. But I get overwhelmed whenever I start. ?

 

[HannaD]

It seems whatever we're prepared for is directly related to what we fear. I've taken basic cilivian emergency response, first aid and CPR courses for adults, children, babies and even pets. My husband and I did this together as a "fun" thing to do. There are some hard lessons in those courses but, they taught us we can't control everything.
We keep enough food and water to last from three days to two weeks in a portable cooler. Pets supplies are included. I check the contents often and rotate foods as expiration dates approach. This sense of control and preparedness is comforting to me.

 

[Friday]

For me, it’s not about things. It’s about headspace.

 

[Mee]

For me, it’s not about things. It’s about headspace.

I was thinking about the ‘its Related to what we fear’ and while I think that’s true I also think that perfectionism itself of trying to be prepared for everything can happen; but the problem is some things have mutually exclusive requirements.


I also think some of our fears are worth tackling, when we feel safe. I used to keep not a huge stock pile but a fair but of stuff in. I still do buy some things in bulk / ish. But I refuse to buy dry goods in bulk because I think it feeds my fear and I no longer live extremely remotely and we have a decent car to get out in . I feel ‘lighter’ with out it. However; I still have a desire ( not used since ptsd) to preserve fruit and veg in season not buying stuff out of season. That’s an ethics choice, less fear based.

 

[Ronin]

Tbh assuming ready is about fear necessarily assumes too much.

Wanting things to go smoothly doesn't mean one is afraid if they don't. Ditto, needing things right ain't require fear.

(( so cough, back to my coffee= my if I can think I'm good and f*ck all damns given for what anybody else does, I'll work with that, later, should they be their usual charmers and actually go there... or finally grow a pair and try some new bs gimmicks. And other simple shit I can do for myself, dropping over thinking others aside.))

 

[TruthSeeker]

Backpack with the things you think you need for survival (e.g.spare meds for a week....I cut corners on my pills to be prepared (dumb I know), NSAIDS, glasses, charger, water, food, cash, xtra credit card, picture ID/license, medical insurance card, toothbrush, paste, map (in case phone dies), clean underwear,back up little book w people's phone numbers/important addresses.... can't contact anyone....right?), a phone backup charger, heavy coat by door w backpack, sunglasses, tennis shoes by backpack. I had a car, so I kept a mattress, blanket and pillow in a car, a battery powered lantern, extra batteries, sleeping bag, and an electric extension cord, in the event I found myself car camping with electric services at a campground/RV site. I also kept my best camera close.