Last week I listened to the first person story of a man who immigrated from South Korea to the USA when he was 17. He practiced for a big task: to order a Big Mac Meal at McDonald’s using this new English language. By himself. He ordered confidently and was proud. Then he was unexpectedly answered with “Blah blah blah.” He didn’t understand so he answered an enthusiastic “Yes!” “Blah blah blah,” repeated. “Yes!” again.
It was months later when he discovered the order taker was asking him “For here or to go?”
Forty Years Later
I was at an Oath Keepers meeting in AZ, one of the largest. A guy who ran the Ham radio effort was addressing a crowd of over 100 in a monotone voice (like the teacher scene from Ferris Bueller), telling the attendees that “You can join a radio check every Sunday night at 7PM by dialing in at frequency 446.025 megahertz on your shortwave radio.” There were quickly yells of “What is the frequency, again?” “What is a megahertz?” “Where do I get a radio?” But he kept droning on and on about the need to get a Ham license and other things important to him but not his audience.
A modern blah blah blah.
I understand there is a tidal wave of information ready to crash down upon you when you start working on your self reliance posture. I was there too. Some people have an easier time than others, especially if they spent time camping or backpacking. But there is no question that it is overwhelming. And expensive. Heck, a good title for the task at hand is “Recreate A Small Slice Of Society All On Your Own.” That seems unfair but its the cards we are dealt.
Here are some tips I have picked up over the years to ease the burden of frustration.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Lay out a plan like “I’ll spend 6 months to set up my family for 1 month of resilience.” There, now you have something to work with that isn’t like the open ended maw of a volcano.
Set a monthly budget you can live with. You may need to jettison some conveniences that crept into your life over the years like streaming subscriptions, an eBay habit (that’s mine), vices, eating out, NASA astronaut lessons, etc.
Think of what you’re working toward as a new type of insurance that you hope you never need to use. Just like automobile, homeowner and life insurance that are likely part of your life already, make this another tool and not a goal. Too many people online engage in histrionics to drive it toward a lifestyle. It isn’t.
Remember that best is the enemy of good. Its fine to buy a 4-pack of headlamps at Costco to outfit your family now instead of waiting six months to buy the super cool stuff at 4x the price. After you get all the basics handled you can budget for upgrades and sell off the starter gear.
Find like minded individuals. It is often hard but if you don’t seek you won’t find.
Share what you learn, both good and bad. That’s what I do here!
Have fun and love your family – they are the entire point of the effort.
Gear Tip
My dentist put one of these on the inside of my wrist a few weeks ago. They are a steal on eBay at $13 so you should get a couple of them as I did.
I wish you a Merry Christmas with your families and a prosperous 2025.
Dan
“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” – St. Jane Frances de Chantal