You may be cultivating sustainability and not even know it.
Gardening, getting chickens, prepping(not sure I even like using that word)….It all seems to be the rage these days with everything going on. I hope it isn’t just a fade, sticks long term with people.
I know that there are some that want to start cultivating a sustainable lifestyle, but they just don’t know where to start.
I get it, it can be a bit overwhelming. I get overwhelmed myself. There is so much information out there and so many skills to learn. How can I possible learn it all?
While I want to help you all begin the journey of sustainability, I wanted to pass along some encouragement. It maybe a little selfish on my part as, I am basically speaking to myself. At times I feel like I am not doing enough. Living during a pandemic and in hurricane alley where storms are a looming threat every year, it can feel like we are one disaster away from destruction and I don’t always feel like I have done enough. Honestly, complacency sets in at times and I think things are going to be ok.
But enough of the doom and gloom.
The truth is, sustainability and being prepared is a daily mindset, and you are probably already in the habit of being ready for a disaster and/or emergency, whatever it maybe, and not even realize it. It’s all about forward thinking and preparing for the future.
So here you are.
In the words of Jeff Foxworthy, you might be a prepper, if ……..
- You have the following mindset: I bet you have the “be prepared” mindset and don’t even know it. How many times have you told your kids to bring a jacket, or you pack extra clothes for a trip, “just in case?” Did you grandmother tell you to make sure you have on clean underwear in case you’re in an accident? What mother doesn’t pack up the car for the kids with extras? I’m sure significant others have rolled their eyes a thousand times wondering why you bring so much. These habits may seem silly, neurotic, or just too simple to even think about, but they’ve helped me be proactive, have alleviated my worries and concerns, and have even allowed me to help others in stressful and scary situations.
- You practice frugality: This might come across with a negative connotation; like you can NEVER do anything fun. That’s not what I mean at all. It’s a way of thinking about what you REALLY need. It’s about putting needs before desires and really thinking about the purchases you are making. The small changes you make to save money add up in the end. This can help you to set some money aside. You may have the mindset if you pack a lunch for work, workout at home instead of the gym, take short showers, brew your own coffee, put on a sweater instead of raising the thermostat, etc.
- You eat at home: Lately we have been forced to do this, but maybe this is something that you have always done to save a bit of money. I am not a big “eat out” person. Once in a while is nice, but I like knowing what goes into my food and CERTIANLY LOVE saving money. This is also a great way to maintain family relationships and stay connected with your kids. These connections are going to be vital in an emergency.
- You put things on your calendar that need done seasonally: Things like changing your batteries in the smoke detector, rotating tires on the car, rotating items in the food pantry. If you already set aside 2 times during the year to do these things, you are ahead of the game.
- You have started a food pantry: You may not have intentionally started prepping for an emergency with your stocked pantry, but here you are, a prepper. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.
- You have begun getting out of debt-You may have started this without the idea of being sustainable in mind, but getting out of debt and not being beholden to credit companies if one of the first things they teach in sustainability school. OK, so there isn’t exactly a “school,” but you get what I mean.
- You growing your own food: Even if it’s just a pot of basil, you are cultivating a sustainability mindset. Think about it? Why did you plant that in the first place? It may have been that you use basil a lot and wanted to save a trip to the store. BAM! You’re already thinking in the right direction.
- You combining errand runs: This kinda goes in with a frugal mindset. When I go to the feed store, I like to combine that with other stops like the bank and grocery. I manage my schedule so that I have time to fit it all in. I know that I am saving gas by not making several trips into town.
- You have a first aid kit in your home, office, or car
- You have like-minded friends: I think we naturally gravitate toward like-minded individuals. Like begets like, as they say, so it’s important to create a community with those that can help each other when and if such a disaster occurs.
So there you have it.
Really simple things y’all may already do. Now it’s just time to add to the skill set.
Let’s have a discussion.
How do you feel about prepping? Comment below.