When you first become aware of the fact that you want to begin to become more prepared for the emergencies life throws at you, it can be overwhelming – so many websites, so much information, so much urgency that it all needs to be done now.
I’ve shared a few times on how to get started and not be overwhelmed, sites that can help you get started in food storage, and the like.
Then I ran across this video yesterday. It’s 46+ min long, so skip an hour of television and watch this, instead. For those of you who are visual/audio learners, this is much better than trying to read 2-3 websites linking all the information.
Get a notepad and pen and begin taking notes and make a plan, but don’t feel you must accomplish this overnight. That’s the biggest hurdle for everyone just awakening to the fact that they want to become more prepared. It’s not money. There’s so much that can be done without money. It’s the overwhelming task ahead of you, and so many give up because it seems too daunting.
Don’t let it be. You can do this! Start small, gather information, gather water. Then make sure you have enough water…then take the next step, and the next, and the next. Soon, you’ll begin to realize that you’ve come farther than you expected, and while there is still a lot to be done, you’ve accomplished so much already.
Another way to start small is to create a family emergency binder aka grab-and-go binder. This allows you to get your affairs in order for the short term emergencies when you may have to leave home (earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes), and you don’t have to be without those papers that allow you to reestablish your life:
There are hurdles, there are setbacks, there are big tasks, but there is a lot that you can accomplish today!
Katy Willis is a writer, lifelong homesteader, and master herbalist, master gardener, and canine nutritionist. Katy is a preparedness expert and modern homesteader practicing everyday preparedness, sustainability, and a holistic lifestyle.
She knows how important it is to be prepared for whatever life throws at you, because you just never know what's coming. And preparedness helps you give your family the best chance to thrive in any situation.
Katy is passionate about living naturally, growing food, keeping livestock, foraging, and making and using herbal remedies. Katy is an experienced herbalist and a member of the CMA (Complementary Medical Association).
Her preparedness skills go beyond just being "ready", she's ready to survive the initial disaster, and thrive afterward, too. She grows 100% organic food on roughly 15 acres and raises goats, chickens, and ducks. She also lovingly tends her orchard, where she grows many different fruit trees. And, because she likes to know exactly what she's feeding her family, she's a seasoned from-scratch cook and gluten-free baker.
Katy teaches foraging and environmental education classes, too, including self-sufficient living, modern homesteading, seed saving, and organic vegetable gardening.
Katy helps others learn forgotten skills, including basic survival skills and self-reliance.
She's been published on sites such as MSN, Angi, Home Advisor, Family Handyman, Wealth of Geeks, Readers Digest, and more.