02/10/2026
"...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
When most people think about getting prepared, they think they need gear. Fancy gear. Tactical gear. Expensive gear.
And while I believe gear and skills go hand in hand, when you're just beginning, it's really important you don't get caught up in the fancy stuff, but instead, focus on your needs.
Here’s where to start:
1) Water
Start with:
• 2 gallons per person, per day, for 3 days (to start)
• One way to store water
• One way to filter water
Action this week: Fill empty soda, gatorade or water bottles and put them in the freezer.
2) Food
You don’t need freeze-dried meals to start.
Start with foods your family already eats that are shelf-stable:
• Peanut butter
• Canned goods
• Tuna packets
• Granola bars
• Rice, beans, pasta
• Snacks that don’t require refrigeration
Add a manual can opener and you’re set. Sure, those won't last 20 million years, but if you eat them, you rotate it and you'll always have some on hand.
Action this week: Build a 3-day food bin from your normal grocery store trip.
3) Light
When the power goes out, anxiety goes up fast.
Start with:
• Lanterns
• Flashlights
• Headlamps
• Candles and matches
• Extra batteries
Action this week: Put one light source in every room tonight.
4) Hygiene
If water or sewer is disrupted, this becomes priority for comfort and health.
Start with:
• A bucket, trash bags, and kitty litter (emergency toilet)
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
Action this week: Build the bucket toilet before you ever need it.
5) Basic First Aid
Being able to handle basic first aid and medical needs, especially during a natural disaster when help is even further delayed; is crucial.
Start with:
• Bandages, gauze, tape
• Gloves and scissors
• Pain reliever, allergy meds, anti-diarrheal
• Thermometer
• Cold packs
• Any extra prescription meds you may need
Action this week: Buy a basic kit and add the medications your family actually uses.
6) Communication
Phones die. Internet dies. Information matters.
Start with:
• A NOAA weather radio
• Power banks for phones
• A written list of emergency contacts
• A car charger
• Crank radio
Action this week: Write important numbers on paper and put it somewhere safe.
7) Comfort & Warmth
Morale matters more than people think.
Start with:
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Extra hoodies and socks
• Cards, books, simple boredom busters
• Coffee or tea
Action this week: Make a small “blackout comfort bin.” (I did mine from the dollar tree)
8) Mindset
Preparedness is mostly mental.
Instead of thinking, “What if everything goes wrong?”
Start thinking, “What would I do if this one thing stopped working?”
One small scenario at a time builds confidence instead of fear.
Action this week: Ask yourself, “What would I do if the power went out for 3 days?” Then solve only that.
9) Physical Readiness
You don’t need to be The Rock. You don't even need to go to the gym.
I know everyone's physical readiness will be different, but if you are able, then please move your body as often as you can. Little spurts throughout the day is better than absolutely nothing. Especially if you have a desk job.
Action this week: Take a 20-minute walk. In a few weeks, consider carrying a backpack.
10) Spiritual & Emotional Grounding
This part gets overlooked, but it’s huge.
When things feel uncertain, people panic because they don’t feel anchored.
Whether it’s prayer, journaling, quiet time, or reflection; having something that centers you makes a real difference in an emergency.
Action this week: Spend 10 quiet minutes a day unplugged, resetting your mind.
One small action this week is enough to move you forward and keep the momentum going.
You’ve got this.
