Three Common Prepping Pitfalls
Kevin Felts 05.19.17
When a new member signs up on the forum, they usually start with the typical questions about bug out bags, stockpiling food, firearms, water, and fuel. Their initial questions are like baby steps. After that, there is usually a slow and steady progression.
As the person experiments with storing food in mylar bags and tasting freeze dried food, he or she gains confidence, knowledge and experience. It is interesting to watch forum members posting updates on how their prepping plans are coming together.
However, sometimes things happen that can set the person back.
Yo-Yo Preppers
A lot of times there is a loss of interest. When something happens, such as the Swine Flu outbreak, the person may get back into prepping for a little while.
Someone who gets into prepping, gets out, get back in, gets out, etc, is a “yo-yo prepper.”
It is important to maintain a certain level of readiness, no matter how small. Even if it is just having a few weeks’ worth of canned foods, bottled water, and other supplies on hand.
Firearms
Sometimes the person will venture into the militant side of prepping. Rather than stockpiling food and learning about homesteading, they focus on firearms and ammunition.
In all honesty, their prepping plan is probably to take whatever you have, by force if needed.
On a personal note, I have been guilty of focusing a little too much on firearms and ammunition.
Conspiracy Theories
During the 1990s I was big into conspiracy theories. The events at Ruby Ridge and Waco fueled my distrust for the government.
Before the year 2000, there were numerous theories that the U.S. government was going to use chaos of the computer crash to enforce martial law. There were numerous theories that the United Nations would be used to disarm citizens of the United States.
It got to the point where I was watching the local shipping ports for troops and vehicles from the United Nations. I honestly felt conspiracy theories were consuming my life. I finally had to take a step back and say, “No more.” Here we are 20 years later and I still avoid conspiracy theories.
Final Thoughts
To me, prepping is like a road. We know where we are starting from and usually have an idea of what we want to achieve. Some people may want basic prepping information on food, water, MREs, or freeze dried food. Others may want to go off the grid.
Sometimes we need to take a step back and see where our prepping plan is going. If we start to deviate, we need to make a correction and get back on course.
