The old saying goes, “New year, new you,” and while few of us actually stick to any of the resolutions we make for the new year, that might be because we’re not setting ones that are important. Losing weight, getting into shape, and reading more are all common resolutions and are probably the ones most often left incomplete.
This year, instead of setting the same old resolutions, consider setting some prepper-based ones in order to make yourself safer and better prepared for the coming year. A little action in a few key areas can really get you far more organized and prepared than the average person and really give you a leg up in an emergency. Here are my suggestions for New Year’s resolutions for preppers. Leave yours in the comments too.
Finally build that bug-out bag
You know you need one, but like many things we know we need to do, building your bug-out bag is something that’s easily put off. Maybe it’s because of the added cost of purchasing the items for your bag, or perhaps it’s just the work involved with crafting the perfect bag. Whatever the case, make this the year you finally build a real bug-out bag.
Sure, bugging out isn’t always the solution, but there are more reasons than you can probably think of to warrant getting out of Dodge for a few days. Check out these posts for more specifics on building a great bug-out bag, and if you already have one, here are some tips on putting it on a diet for the new year too.
Start your food prep (or add to it)
While bug-out bags are perfect for getting out while the getting’s good, there are many reasons that you might want to hunker down and weather the storm at home, perhaps literally. In times like these, you need a good food and water supply to keep you and your family fed and hydrated until you can make it out to the other side of the emergency.
Start with 72 hours of food and water for you and your family. This gives you three days of food and water, and while that’s not a lot when talking about a long-term disaster, it’s a great place to start. Here’s some great info on emergency water storage and food preservation to get you started.
Already have a food and water prep started? Take this time to add a few more days to it. Prepped for three days of use? Add three more and you’ll almost have a full week of food and water in case of an emergency.
Get in Shape
A female jogging for exercise.
I know, I know. This is one of those New Year’s resolutions that is always promised and never followed through on, but hear me out. Getting in shape just because you “should” is a sure-fire way to never get in shape. Instead, get yourself into better shape as part of your prep.
When the SHTF and disaster strikes, your health and fitness are as important as any physical item you could put into your prep. That bug-out bag you built is all nice and fine, but if you can’t walk more than a mile or two with it on your back, what’s the point in having it?
Check out this post on preparing yourself for physical activity, and go a little deeper by creating an ideal survival fitness training regimen.
Stop smoking
This one obviously only applies to the smokers out there, but if you’re a smoker, make this the year you quit. Sure, you’ll gain health benefits and help your “get in shape” resolution, but you’ll also be preparing yourself to be without them in a disaster situation.
If an emergency strikes, the last thing you should be worrying about is where you’re going to find your next cigarette, but that’s exactly what you’ll be worrying about if you continue to smoke. Consider getting yourself ready for the lack of cigarettes and kick the habit starting today.
Get better with your gun
You can never be too skilled with a firearm, so take some time in 2016 to learn more. Take a marksmanship class, go to the range more, and get your guns fine-tuned to shoot correctly every time.
Having a gun is one thing, but being able to hit something with it is something else entirely. All too often people buy guns and just expect to be able to use them when the time comes. Not only do you need to hone your marksmanship skills, but you also need to learn how to shoot in an emergency. Practice shooting on the move and hitting targets while excited. These skills are best learned by taking a class, so find one in your area and start being better with your gun now.
Learn a new skill
Finally, make 2016 the year of learning. It doesn’t matter if you have all the coolest technology and tools in your prep; if you don’t have long-term survival skills, they won’t get you very far. From canning to hunting to bushcraft, knowing how to do something is better than having a tool that can do it for you.
Check out the constant battle of skills versus stuff, and see what skills you can learn this year to make you a better prepper.
Following through with even one of these resolutions for 2016 will make a major difference in your prep, which will have a direct impact on your survivability and preparedness during an emergency. Remember, you’re not just prepping for the end of the world, but also for much smaller but equally deadly disasters like floods, earthquakes, and power outages. Keep these in mind while prepping in 2016 and you’ll be a more well-rounded prepper that’s ready to take on just about anything. Do you have a prepper resolution that we didn’t mention? Leave it in the comments below and maybe we’ll have to update our own lists, too.