Did you know that, for centuries, this time of year was when people traditionally did all of their home projects–specifically those that improved the safety of their home and village?

This makes sense. First, winter is coming so if the roof needs repair or the town wall needs to be shored up, now is the time. Second, the first two harvests are in (the third comes in around Halloween) and everyone has been paid. So there’s money to do the work. Third, since the harvest work is mostly done, people need jobs so handymen abound. Fourth, since winter is coming, so are the hordes of people who didn’t prepare and want your things so they don’t starve and freeze to death. Fifth, and this is more aesthetic than important, people (probably women) want their home to be clean and cared for if they’re going to be stuck inside with the kids for months and months.

Although most of us have moved away from traditional agrarian life, and we’re not worried about the hordes coming to take our stuff, this time of year is also known as “little spring cleaning”. We don’t talk about it much, but in this 21st century world, there’s still a sense our homes need to be cleaned and cared for before the holidays come and the first snow hits. Some people even redecorate–putting up heavier curtains to keep the winter winds out, laying out new rugs that can handle the mud and snow, etc.

I know that the word “prepper” has all sorts of connotations, but being ready for emergencies has nothing to do with the TV shows about people hiding in underground bunkers or building tree houses in the Ozarks. The kind of Prepping & Planning I’m talking about is a no-nonsense, no-stress way of evaluating risk and your family’s readiness in the face of unexpected emergencies. And these unexpected emergencies can be anything from a flat tire 100 miles from home or a burst washing machine hose that is flooding the house (both of these have happened to me!). 

We’re lucky that there is tons of information available on the internet for people who want to prepare for any type of disaster or problem such as hurricanes, pandemics, blizzards, wild fires, etc. But there’s so much information, it’s easy to get overloaded and say, “I’ll worry about it tomorrow.” Analysis Paralysis hits and we don’t know where to start. This especially hits hard in people who are new to planning or are worried about money. It affects me and I’ve been planning for years. So my hope is that with these blog posts (and maybe videos), I’ll help you build a mindset that will guide you through all the noise so you don’t waste time and money. 

Why do I feel like I’m qualified to help build you build a Prep & Plan mindset? Because I’ve been in some awful situations (domestically and overseas) and have been traumatized by events out of my control. I’ve also worked for the American Red Cross overseas during periods of unrest and an uneasy truce. My past experiences have taught me, a romance and women’s fiction author who rarely leaves the house, how important it is to be prepared. 

There is so much advice out there–much of it is good–but if you follow it without a plan you’ll end up exhausted and broke. So the first thing we’re going to do is build up the right mindset. The RIGHT MINDSET is the most important step–before you watch prepping videos and run out to buy a pressure canner and more toilet paper. 

Being prepared isn’t about the stuff you have. It truly is about your mindset. And building this mindset requires thought and time spent answering questions about where you are, what do you think your greatest threats are, and how are you going to begin without breaking the bank or becoming a hoarder. 

What do I mean about mindset? Well, the definition of mindset is “the established set of attitudes held by someone.” (Merriam-Webster). Usually, our mindsets work for us on a daily basis and we don’t even think about it until the New Year rolls around and we start trying to change our habits to meet our resolutions. So anyone who has attempted New Year’s resolutions understands how hard it is to change behaviors and build new habits.  Luckily, in this realm of prepping and planning, it’s not that hard to build new habits. But mindset has to be the first place to start. 

This series will not be about how to buy the best hiking equipment or home defense implement or anything of that sort–there’s plenty of information on the internet about those things.  What this series is meant to do is help you just get started. Because that’s where I see all of the mistakes being made. 

So, like I said, we need to change our mindsets about what Prepping & Planning is all about so that when the bad things happen, we don’t panic. Why don’t we panic? Because we’ve already thought through all of these events and have prepared for them to the best of our abilities. 

For example: If you have a bunch of kids, you may have the mindset that you need to buy their birthday and holiday presents throughout the year when you can get them on sale. Or you can have the mindset that you’ll just worry about each birthday and holiday the night before they happen. (I’ve done both!). But which do you think leads to less stress? Now I know that money can be an issue but there’s always some preparation that can be done ahead of time. But this example takes into account a few things. First, you are aware that you have children. Second, you know that holidays and birthdays are a thing you celebrate. Third, you understand that these events will cost money. So now you have a choice. You can choose to plan ahead or you can choose to do everything at the last minute. While both choices work, one is less stressful than another. I also know that sometimes kids don’t know what they want until the day before–but we can always guess and return things they don’t want. 

Anyway, the ability to recognize and acknowledge these three truths (awareness, knowledge, and understanding), plus the choice either to wait or plan ahead, is a mindset. Yet, like I mentioned above, this is the hardest part of getting prepared. It’s easy to run out with the credit card and buy stuff and hide it under the bed. But when the SHTF (s**t hits the fan), that’s not going to help you if you you’re panicked and unorganized and have no idea what to do next. Should I leave my home and bug out? Should I stay and hunker down? Will there be a forced evacuation? All of these questions will cause extreme stress to someone who isn’t mentally prepared, regardless of how much stuff is hidden beneath the beds. 

This is why we’re going to start at the beginning. If you’d like, scour the internet for lists and ideas and videos about prepping and planning ahead. But when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed and stressed, come back here. We’ll walk through everything that needs to be done–after we establish the right mindset. A mindset based on organized, rational thought and not panicked actions that lead to over-spending and stuffed closets. 

We will eventually return to the government and military’s lists, some of which are actually quite good and well thought out. But we’re going to start at the very, very beginning. This won’t cost anything and you only need a few tools with which to begin. Do not go out and buy fancy planners or notebooks or lots of washi tape! I love washi tape and markers, but this is not the time to worry about that. To all the perfectionists in my life–I promise you that it will all work out.