Prepping Puts a New Label on Old Ways

Prepping is a buzzword that is a twisted parody of the ideal. If you were to believe the traditional media, you would think prepping is crazy, not normal, something only nuts do!

As a buzzword, prepping is about survivalists (some doomsday-fearing) hoarding food for the end of the world and eschewing the comforts of modern living. I prefer to look at it as TEOTWAWKI — the acronym for “The End of the World As We Know It.”

Prepping is Just Smart

We’ve seen some crazy weather and combined with living in uncertain times, preparing for what can happen or prepping is simply a wise and prudent approach. That’s just being smart.

Prepping, the idea, is as old as time: be prepared for anything. Expect the unexpected. That’s what you are taught in the Military.

True prepping doesn’t focus on one type of epic event but on surviving anything that might happen — TEOTWAWKI. No one will argue that having supplies and basic survival skills makes the difference in life-or-death situations.

To our Country’s Pioneers, Prepping was Called Daily Life

America wasn’t always covered in highways and convenience stores. Food wasn’t prepackaged, and water didn’t flow from a tap.

Because modern times are safe and relatively predictable, the buzzword “prepping” suggests that anyone acting otherwise must have a screw loose. If you take a moment to look back, you can easily see that prepping is not a modern affliction.

Having a larger food supply meant surviving the brutal months of winter. Food had to be hunted down, butchered, and skinned, then stored.

Repairs couldn’t rely on a specialist, and replacement tools had to be made. Bearing arms was expected for self-defense and carried no moral stigma. Sewing and cooking were good skills rather than hobbies.

Self-reliance is a Good Thing

Self-reliance and preparedness are thankfully seeing a resurgence right now. Beyond those who fear doomsday or want to forgo modern living, prepping is taking root with more people every day. Learning new skills and stockpiling basic staples can’t hurt, but not having them most certainly will.

Disasters starkly remind people how quickly everything can be taken away and that running water, cell service, and electricity won’t always be there. We experienced this when we were hit with an F3 tornado in April of 2025. No power for 10 days, everything around you destroyed.

Earthquakes don’t make appointments, and tornadoes won’t wait for a grocery run. Utility lines can be cut during construction, and a delayed delivery could empty store shelves (remember COVID). The most basic preparations can make the difference in a disaster, turning another victim into a survivor.

Treating “prepping” as just a buzzword distorts the truth, but it will never stop the idea. Being prepared for anything is part of humanity’s history, and no amount of name-calling can take that away. Fortune favors the prepared, allowing them to take control of the unexpected immediately.

You can start your prepping journey with resources on what to stock and how to store it, along with many tips and how-tos here on my Blog. You can also join the conversation at Survivalist Forum, ask questions, and meet new friends of like minds.

You’ll be glad you did when it is TEOTWAWKI…