A prepper mindset is a way of thinking focused on preparedness and self-reliance in the present and when emergencies arise, preparing for the unexpected.
A prepper mindset is a way of thinking that’s focused on being self-reliant. It’s an awareness of the fragility of the world around us and the ever-shifting state of our economy, society, and safety.
In addition to being self-sufficient in the present, it’s about being able to meet future situations with the tools and resources to emerge victorious, fat, and happy. Preppers anticipate and plan for a wide range of scenarios, everything from job losses to economic downturns to natural disasters and societal collapse.
Preppers often build their own trusted team of like-minded individuals to share the journey with them. And, let’s clear one thing up: Not all preppers are “doomsday preppers.” They’re just regular people who plan ahead to make sure they can take care of themselves and their families no matter what the future holds.
What type of people are preppers?
Not all prep-folk resemble survivalists like Bear Grylls or Dave Canterbury (love you bro, but I don’t see myself stuck in a jungle anytime soon). Nor are they always ex-military, crazy-skilled, gun-toting badasses (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Neither are they running around naked on an overrated TV show. If you volunteer to be naked in the wilderness, you have bigger problems.
Preppers come from diverse backgrounds, most often live in urban or rural areas, and vary in their motivations. Some seek self-sufficiency, while others just want to improve their odds of weathering potential calamities well. They’re often people who honor traditional values such as family, hard work, and independence. From the outside, they may even look like regular homesteaders.
They’re typically resilient and strive to be adaptable so they’re prepared to face the unexpected. Don’t confuse a thoughtful, well-prepared, strategic individual for someone with paranoid psychosis … unless they’re both.
Let’s take a deeper look at the mindset
There are several traits and habits that contribute to a preparedness mindset. Let’s look at some of these to see the roles they play.
Strategic thinking
Preppers have a strategic mindset, which means they analyze potential risks and vulnerabilities in their environment and daily life. They consider factors like geographic location, climate, local resources, and the likelihood of specific emergencies. They confidently plan for situations years in advance. This strategic thinking helps them prioritize their preparations and allocate resources effectively.
Day-to-day, prep-folk also tend to look beyond the pomp and propaganda of the media to understand how reported events affect them. They’re also likely to have strong situational awareness and be prepared for little situations.
Proactive tendencies
They believe in being proactive rather than reactive. They understand that it's better to prepare ahead for a crisis rather than trying to scramble for resources during an emergency. By taking action in advance, they can reduce the impact of unexpected events. Being able to process current events and properly plan for future calamities is a subtle skill that requires cultivation and self-awareness.
Habitual practices
Prepared people develop habits that promote self-sufficiency. These habits can include maintaining a well-stocked pantry, regularly checking and updating emergency supplies, staying informed about potential threats, and honing practical skills like gardening, first aid, raising livestock, self-defense, and basic communications.
You get good at something by making it a habit. This is probably the most important thing to remember. If you don’t internalize the behaviors of a sustainable and prepared lifestyle, all the fruit-cocktail and guns in the world won’t save you during tough times. Learn to enjoy and habitualize what it means to be prepared.
Resource management
Preppers are mindful of their resources and how to use them effectively. They aim to reduce waste, conserve resources, and make the most of what they have. This is a current lifestyle for them, something that comes naturally over time. This mindset can extend into financial planning and ensuring they have savings and investments that can support them during challenging economic times.
Redundancy
Preppers often believe in redundancy, having multiple means of addressing needs. For example, they may have multiple sources of water, alternative cooking methods, or backup power systems. This approach helps ensure they have fallback options if one resource or system fails. Redundancy isn’t paranoia. Power goes out. Toilet paper disappears.
Continuous learning
They’re often committed to continuous learning. Being prepared means seeking knowledge about survival skills, emergency management, homesteading, and other relevant subjects. This ongoing education helps preppers adapt to new challenges and continue to find new solutions. I’ve often said that what you put in your head is more important than what you put in your pack.
Community
Preppers recognize the value of a trusted community. They often form tight groups where they can share knowledge, resources, and support. Building a reliable network of like-minded individuals can strengthen overall preparedness. While there are a lot of misconceptions about preppers (hence this post), they are often careful with who they share their situation and mindset with.
Mental resilience
The prepared understand the importance of mental resilience. They practice emergency scenarios in their minds and visualize how they would respond. This helps them stay calm and focused when faced with unexpected situations.
Family preparedness
They prioritize the safety and well-being of their families. They involve their loved ones in preparedness activities, ensuring that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.
Flexibility
While preppers have plans in place, they also recognize the need to be adaptable. Situations may unfold differently than expected, and being flexible allows them to adjust their strategies and responses accordingly. Again, what they put in their head makes this possible.
Not all preppers have a bunker
Some preppers are more extreme than others, stockpiling large quantities of supplies and building elaborate bunkers or survival shelters. While there might be a bit of jealousy, most preppers take a more practical approach to preparedness. This means living a lifestyle that’s resilient, self-sufficient, and always ready. They work to acquire enough food, water, and other supplies to weather the challenges life may throw their way.
Challenges can be as small as being snowed in and unable to access outside resources, a job loss where finances are suddenly diminished, or a natural disaster that wipes out infrastructure.
The overall goal of survival preppers is to have the skills, resources, and mindset to handle unforeseen challenges effectively.
Start your journey with the right prepper mindset
Learn more about what it means to be ready for … anything. Know what emergency preparedness is and how to get started, and enjoy this quick read: Prepping 101.