Why I Prepare (And How It All Began)

When I look at the world today, struck by conflict, extreme weather, and unexpected crises, it’s clear to me that disaster can arrive on any doorstep. As a kid, I never imagined I’d witness multiple wars, devastating storms, a global pandemic, wildfires, and more power outages than I ever thought possible. But living through these events taught me one simple truth: when disaster strikes, I don’t want to be standing on the sidelines waiting for help. I want to be prepared to protect myself, my loved ones, and my community.

My Journey into Preparedness

I first fell down the preparedness rabbit hole after the remnants of Hurricane Charley blew across Florida in 2004 and left my neighborhood without power for days. We didn’t experience the worst of Charley in my neighborhood, but with food spoiling and communications down, I felt helpless — and helplessness breeds fear. From then on, I stopped thinking of my mother, who stockpiled food and water year round, as paranoid, and started respecting her as a prepper before I even came across that term. Years later, after I had moved alone into wildfire country, I began buying books on emergency planning and self-sufficiency, then took the next step by joining my local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). There, I learned skills like basic first aid, fire suppression, and how to safely turn off utilities in my home.

Around the same time, I discovered how vital communication could be when everything else goes dark. Ham radio and basic electronics quickly became hobbies: tinkering with antennas and building simple battery packs felt empowering. By the time the next disaster rolled through, I felt less like a victim of circumstance and more like someone who could make a difference.

Shattering the “Prepper” Myth

For years, I assumed that true preparedness required a massive bunker, acres of land, or military-grade training, none of which I had. I worked a desk job, lived in a small rental, and didn’t own a single firearm. Slowly, though, I realized that real readiness isn’t limited to those extremes. It’s a mindset anyone can adopt, shaped by your unique situation, budget, and space.

• Assess your own risks. Are you in a wildfire zone or floodplain? Do power outages happen frequently in your area?
  
• Start within your means. A well-stocked pantry, a reliable flashlight, and a basic first-aid kit can be assembled for just a few dollars.
  
• Build over time. Adding one item per month, whether it’s a box of freeze-dried meals or a small solar charger, quickly adds up.
  

Don’t compare your journey to influencers with sprawling supply rooms or professional disaster responders. Their advice can be inspiring, but the most important step is to tailor a plan that fits your life right now.

Four Pillars of Early Preparedness

When I began, I focused on four essentials: food, water, power, and medical/sanitation. Here’s how I tackled each one — and how you can, too.

1. Food
   
   • Start with 24 hours. Stock enough nonperishable food for one day per person, then expand to 48 hours, 72 hours, and beyond.
     
   • Choose what works for you. Canned goods are shelf-stable but heavy; I prefer lightweight freeze-dried meals (like Mountain House) and pantry staples (rice, beans, oats).
     
   • Rotate regularly. Label containers with purchase dates and swap older items into regular meal rotation.
     
2. Water
   
   • One gallon per person per day is the standard baseline, covering drinking and minimal hygiene. In arid climates, plan for more.
     
   • Bottled water is perfect for starters. It’s easy to store, affordable, and simple to rotate once a year.
     
   • Upgrade when ready. Consider food-grade water barrels or compact water filters for longer-term self-sufficiency.
     
3. Power
   
   • Light sources first. Invest in multiple flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries. Navigating in the dark is dangerous (not to mention terrifying).
     
   • Cooking tools. A small wood-fueled camp stove or propane burner can meet your basic cooking needs.
     
   • Rechargeable solutions. I started with USB battery packs and foldable solar panels — slow, but potentially lifesaving. My first “serious” purchase was a Jackery 300: lunch-box-sized, yet it can recharge phones, lights, and small appliances.
     
4. Medical & Sanitation
   
   • Build your own first-aid kit. Generic store kits are fine, but buying components individually (bandages, antiseptic, trauma shears) stretches your dollar further.
     
   • Sanitation supplies. Pack paper towels, wipes, toilet paper, bleach, rubbing alcohol, and soap. Bleach not only cleans surfaces but can purify water in a pinch.
     
   • Learn basic skills. Knowing how to treat a deep cut or stop minor bleeding can be the difference between a manageable injury and a life-threatening one.
     

Go Bags & Go Buckets: Ready to Roll

As someone who rents and moves every few years, portability is key. I keep:

• Go Bags: Grab-and-go backpacks packed with essentials: documents, a change of clothes, first aid, a radio, and snacks.
  
• Go Buckets: 27-gallon buckets filled with extra food, water, and tools. They stack neatly in my mini SUV and are easy to carry.
  

If you’re stuck in place, focus on sturdy containers that can be relocated quickly. If you’ll have a vehicle, coordinate what goes into what: I grab my Go Bag when foot-travel is necessary, but when I can drive, both the bag and bucket come along.

Your Next Step

Preparedness isn’t a one-and-done project, it’s an ongoing journey. Here’s my challenge to you:

1. Make a simple list. Identify three items or skills you lack (ex. water, radio communication, basic first aid).
   
2. Commit to one addition each month. A small solar charger in June, a better first-aid class in July, a few more freeze-dried meals in August.
   
3. Practice. Run a tabletop drill, test your flashlight batteries, cook a meal on your camp stove. Familiarity breeds confidence.
   

Remember: a three-day plan is infinitely better than no plan at all. Each step you take today builds resilience for tomorrow. Whether you’re in a city apartment or on two acres in the country, preparedness belongs to all of us, measured not by bomb shelters or bulletproof vests, but by our commitment to look out for ourselves and each other.

Let’s keep this conversation going. Share your first steps, ask questions, or tell me what you learned when you tried your first drill. My hope is that together, we’ll make Prepared Path Project more than just an alliterative name I gave my blog, it’ll be a community ready for anything.