Going off the grid?

[MrsK]

So, a friend of mine posted this status on Facebook:

"Some days I'm just fine and then others I have this sudden wave of fear and panic and I think, "We're all gonna die!!!!" That happened in the middle of Target today. I started plotting a way for my family to live off the grid for the next 4 years. Spoiler alert: Target doesn't have much in the way of survival gear, but I got some Cinnamon Bears. Those helped."

She has a lot of followers and within minutes dozens of people commented that they feel the same way and that they are actively making survival plans consisting of everything from stockpiling water and canned goods, building bunkers, taking shooting lessons, designating meet up spots with their families.

I also ran into a casual friend today who told me that she's actively researching Italian citizenship "just in case". I've also been having these moments of panic. I don't know if I'm reassured that other people feel this way or frightened. Mostly frightened though because it's like a bunch of apparently rational people share this possibly irrational thought.

Is anyone else feeling this way? Why? Why not? Can we have a rational discussion?

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[Thirteen]

Let's put it this way: I felt relieved that all members of our family have active passports now.

Anything beyond that, we haven't really done, but the passport thing was a huge deal to me this year.


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[SoonerTexan]

I don't think there is anything wrong with being prepared, but when compare where we are now to a historical context, I think it is too far to jump to "impending doom."

[spotty_dog]

"Prepping" is a huge deal in some circles. Wasn't there a television show about it? Lots of apocalyptic scenarios have been floated, from Obama presidencies to zombie outbreaks, that make people feel like they need to be able to have some measure of self-reliance.

I don't know. I've had a lot of worries for a long time. I worry about peak oil and energy infrastructure, overpopulation, the consolidation of farmland and the collapse of our agricultural systems, and yes, the election of a bellicose egomaniac who shits on all the complicated diplomatic relations that our country has developed for decades, and focuses policy on his personal profits, while riling our own citizens to turn on each other as well as on "outsiders."

But I'm honestly kind of fatalistic about it now. When we moved here 8 years ago, part of the reason was because we're isolated, we're in the midst of farmland that in my estimation can carry the local population, we have sources of water and a mild climate. We can just hunker in. I've spent these 8 years working on my skills at gardening, food storage, clothes making. When I buy produce, meat, or wool I'm thinking about the relationships with people I can look to in a pinch.

And yet, although this election is promising to shake up everything I thought I knew about our population and our government…I am not ready to flee right now. I'm motivated to stand and fight. I'm not totally sure why but I feel like I can see a path forward. But I do know we're in for a lot of change, some it painful, in the next couple of decades.

[alotofyarn]

Not related to anything that's happened recently, we have a bug out bag. My dad was in the military and likes stuff like that, so he made one for all the kids for Christmas one year. He also gave us two week's worth of food - dehydrated or something. Hubby has been collecting flashlights, batteries, and power packs for a while now. We both have hammer/seatbelt cutters and glow sticks in our car. And we have guns and ammo, although no crazy stockpiles.

[ladymoreta]

Prepping is totally normal here. We have two bug out bags with supplies for the four of us, and I keep a well-stocked first aid/emergency kit in my van. We have friends with gas masks and others with large gun/ammo stores. We are planning on taking classes next year and buying a gun. My parents have solar panels on their house. Although it isn't quite enough to go off the grid, it would be enough to live comfortably.

I know it sounds pretty crazy to a lot of the country, but you have to remember that this is an area that has lived the past eight years with the same fear we're feeling about Trump. And honestly, we live in a place that gets tornados, ice storms, and probably will start getting earthquakes in the next decade. A good supply of things to help sustain your family for a few days will probably eventually come in handy.

[Ladybug]

I think it's a form of anxiety-coping which is part of the uncontrollable human experience. Of course you should have a plan B, but you can't start mentally living in your plan B or you start creating that reality, certainly in your own mind, lens and perspectives of other people. DH asked me if I wanted to get a gun for the house, anxiety of his family being alone on nights he's on call. I said no. That would ultimately increase my children's risk of death and harm, greater than of us being attacked on a call night. I don't live with my head in the sand. We've picked a safe neighborhood with close proximal neighbors, and at the end of a cup-de-sac with no quick exit. Reasonable safety nets for our lives, and I would probably feel differently if I lived in an isolated or dangerous place, but if I had allowed my anxiety to lead to purchasing the gun (against my currently weighed risks) then my anxiety would be creating a new reality with altered risks that are actually creating the very situation I fear most (harm to my family). Our thoughts create our perspectives, actions, and reactions. Anxiety can cause actions that actually create what you fear most. It's like your subconscious is pulling it out of the universe. Always be cautiously prepared, but don't live in anxiety. Of course, we're social creatures that live in communites. It's significant when populations start tipping into anxiety. Everyone just needs to step away from their ledge.

ETA: I also agree with [MENTION=985]spotty_dog[/MENTION] regarding the importance of relationships to survival in a crisis situation. It's more important to have friends willing to risk for you than batteries and bunkers. Anxiety can push people away and they can start avoid it/you. Consequently, it has created the very distance you feared/projected which becomes a false validation of your anxiety and fears, and so the cycle goes...

[ides]

What ladybug said. Also, glad that we have dual citizenship and passports for both.

[L.Jane]

I've grown up being taught, as a Jew, you NEVER let your passport go out of date. Funny the things you learn when you grow up that you thought were normal, were not normal to other people. I remember finding out other people didn't have a passport and it was so eye opening for me. As for the survival stuff, I have none of that. I know If it comes to that, I'm SOL.

[WolfpackWife]

Going off the grid?

I've done none of this, save for two valid passports. We're clearly fucked.


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[niener]

I've done none of this either and even given the current political climate it still wouldn't occur to me to do something like this. Having always lived in tornado and/or hurricane prone areas I prep for that kind of stuff as best one can, but as far as keeping passports up to date and stocking ammo and such I've never felt the need.

[rainbabies]

My dh would totally be a prepper. But I roll my eyes at him. We have passports-everyone should imo, and he's well stocked in guns/amo.
He'd love it if I stocked the basement with non perishables.


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