PREPPING

I love the fact that I never worry about running out of toilet paper because I keep a supply on hand.  This week, however, I didn’t really have my head in the game and ended up placing a triple order.  I should be good until summer!

Since COVID, when flour, toilet paper and masks were in short supply, many people have become preppers.  There is an ample number of podcasts that list items which could be in short supply if transportation issues arise in the future.  We are advised to have lighters, peroxide and sewing machine oil handy “just in case”.  We are also told to have a supply of food that could hold us for a few days if necessary.

This month, I listened to my friends the Neat Freakks tell a tale about how six staff had spent six days going through a hoarder’s house.  Fortunately, they didn’t find any dead animals but were saddened to watch the adult daughter just stand and cry as they tried to work their way through crowded hallways and mounds of “stuff”.  Apparently, after the dad died, the mother was put into a seniors’ home and the daughter ended up with the mess.  She said that she and her siblings for years had begged the parents to get rid of things, but it didn’t happen.  

Now that is not what is known as prepping.  That is hoarding.

My daughter and her husband are wonderful preppers.  They have deep freezes, shelves and plastic containers of supplies as well as a wood burning fireplace that would take care of family for weeks.  

One of the things that they learned after COVID though was the importance of having an inventory and rotating the food so that everything is fresh.  They discovered that the Food Bank in their town would not accept any donations that were past the expiry dates and thought that they needed to honour the same rule in their house.

Besides that, they followed my example and purchased a Click and Grow indoor garden.  I didn’t get it for prepping.  I just wanted to be able to clip a fresh leaf of lettuce for my sandwich without having to contend with a whole head of lettuce.  Great for people who live alone!

So, when it comes to prepping, it is a good idea to think about what you might need during unexpected emergencies.  You won’t be able to turn on and crawl under the electric blanket if the power is off.  Water might not come out of the taps so having some bottled on hand is a good idea.  I am old enough to know the value of candles – not just for romantic dinners – but to use for light when needed.

My former neighbours were wonderful preppers too and told me that one of the most important things to extend your community contacts.  When there is trouble it is a good idea to know who has skills and how you can work together with others.  And, they also might be willing to trade your extra can of tuna for a couple of batteries!

After working as a therapist for several decades I have also learned that it is important to prep yourself – not just for problem times, but for handling day to day functioning. 

Are you happy, healthy and wise?  If not, perhaps your first project is to work on yourself so that you can be ready for anything that comes along.  It takes work to be your best self – but work that pays big dividends

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice.   Visit  www.LindaHancock.com  or email her at  office@drlindahancock.com.