Picture this: an unexpected power outage has plunged your entire neighborhood into darkness. And, of course, the power company claims it could take up to 48 hours to restore your electricity.
In one house, a family is fumbling over flashlights, desperately digging through closets and cupboards for foods they can prepare without power, and frantically questioning if the refrigerator will keep things cold. Decision after decision, panic is starting to set in.
But in the house next door, another family is calmly collecting the candles and lanterns, unplugging appliances and assessing reconnection risks, and heating up their indoor-safe stove to get dinner started. With the essentials squared away, their remaining decision is simple: card game or board game?
So, what sets the panicked family apart from the peaceful family? (Spoiler: it certainly ain't luck!)
It all boils down to preparedness. In addition to putting the supplies your family needs within reach, being prepared for surprise circumstances frees up the mental space needed to respond and adapt in an emergency.
You're not wasting precious, limited resources –– like your time and energy –– on figuring out what needs to be done next. Instead, you're depending on the plan you already put into place ahead of time.
Want to get to this point of peace? Keep reading to find out how to make that happen!
Take a Breather, Brain
Before we unpack the how, let's dig into the why.
When an unexpected event unfolds, it usually does so rather quickly. So quickly, in fact, that it just might trigger that pesky fight-or-flight response designed to protect you!
You know the feeling, right? Your heart starts to thump and pound, your breathing gets a little faster, and you're confronted with a decision – face the danger, or flee from it.
When you need to act fast, this reaction could be the reason you make it out alive! But it can also make it more difficult to think clearly, recall important information, and make rational decisions. Even a minor emergency might feel major when your noggin is scrambling to process everything at once.
This is a problem that preparedness can solve. An equipped emergency kit, a thorough and practiced plan, a list of contacts –– while they will not prevent surprises from happening, they will certainly soften the impact when they do.
Because you've already answered the crucial questions like “Where are the flashlights?” and “What will we eat?”, your brain has fewer urgent decisions to tackle under stress. Instead of reacting in panic, you can pause, abide by your plan, and redirect your energy and attention on whatever comes your way!
Peace of Mind in Three Simple Steps
Predicting every disaster is an impossible task. Ordering every survival gizmo and gadget under the sun is expensive. Renovating your basement into a bunker is unrealistic –– and unnecessary.
Keep it simple! Peace can be acquired through preparedness. Just apply these three practical steps:
Put It on Paper
Remember: releasing as much from your brain as possible sets you up for success in an emergency. That includes outsourcing all the information you "swear" you'll remember when it matters most!
You'll have enough to worry about when you're struck by a surprise. Why worry about recalling every phone number, meeting place, emergency procedure, and resource if you don't have to?
Write. It. Down. All of it! Create checklists for essential supplies, note what to toss into go-bags for evacuations, keep a written record of any medications or medical contacts, and establish a communication plan with family, friends, and neighbors.
Keep physical, hard copies in a special, dedicated folder for emergencies. Especially in circumstances when power is lost or inaccessible, you can't count on virtual records.
Put it on paper and give yourself permission to forget about it!
Focus on Immediate Needs
Once all the details are put on paper, redirect your priorities to gathering the essentials that cover your needs: food, water, light, and power.
While you might have access to water in a surprise situation, that doesn't mean it's safe to drink. You'll need a way to purify water in order to drink it without concern.
You'll also need shelf-stable foods that can stand up against time, and the food shortages that often follow emergency circumstances. Flashlights, candles, lanterns, extra batteries, and a backup power source will make your experience more safe and comfortable, too.
You don't need to gather up everything at once! Start small, then build your survival stash little by little.
Test It Out
A plan can look slick on paper, but you don't really know how well it will work unless you give 'er a whirl!
Consider spending a weekend –– or even one evening –– "unplugged." Shut off the lights, avoid using any appliances, and whip up your meals using only the equipment you'd have access to in an emergency.
These small-scale "dry runs" encourage your crew to build confidence –– and muscle memory –– with your plan without the pressure of a real scenario.
Practicing your crisis plan also reveals the weak spots that still need attention. If you're missing any supplies, if any equipment doesn't work, or if any parts of your plan aren't as smooth as you expected, this is the time to work out the kinks.
The more familiar you are with your "dry runs," the less frightening "the real deal" will feel!
The Calm in Crisis
You invest in an insurance policy because accidents happen. You contribute to a savings account because unexpected expenses pop up all the time. In the same vein, you prepare for surprise disasters because rarely does life stick to schedule!
Preparedness is not born of paranoia. You're not wasting away your afternoons, eagerly awaiting the end of the world. In fact, it's quite the opposite!
When your needs are planned for, the crucial information is written down and recorded, and everyone in the house knows exactly what to do during a disaster, life becomes more enjoyable. That nagging "what if?" in the background? It disappears.
You may not have a say in when the power goes out, the storm wreaks havoc, or the food shortages strike. But, you can decide how much of the work is already done once those events unravel.
All in all, a sense of calm is not something you suddenly discover in the midst of a crisis; it is a choice you make long before the crisis comes!
Check in with The Essentials Blog each week for expert education, tips, and resources to make your shift to self-reliance as smooth as possible!
