Prepping ain’t easy. There are plenty of risks and scenarios out there and we all have a wide range of emotional responses to them. Some people are happy preppers and others are a little more cynical about worldly situations. Media focus tends to settle on the latter. A reclusive prepper that preps because ‘the rest of the world is wrong’ puts out a different vibe than a ‘happy prepper’ does. Some would latch on to this vibe and describe preppers as a whole as abrasive or out-of-touch. Regardless of type or approach, there is no wrong way to prep. How you go about it can still have an impact on yourself and your community. We will take a quick look at how a mindset can affect your prepping and have you ask yourself, “Am I a happy prepper?”
Cynical Preppers: Observations
Preppers are generally knowledgeable. We take the time to learn about risks, continuously educate ourselves, and acquire a wide range of skills. When we share this knowledge, it can come off with a ‘know-it-all’ type of tone, which can make the listener tune out or dismiss what you are trying to tell them. This can be frustrating to everyone involved. The knowledge sharer thinks the listener simply does not want to learn, and the listener believes the knowledge sharer is a cynical jerk.
Simply put: presentation can be just as important as content.
Cynical types typically don’t care if they are perceived as cynical. Many preppers that fall into this category prefer to be the ‘lone wolf’ prepper. They avoid groups or only accept a group if they are offered a position of power. “My way or the highway” tends to be the mantra, which is perfectly fine if they always know what they are doing. The danger occurs when they don’t.
Cynical preppers assume the worst in others. They are preparing because somebody is inevitably going to screw something up and cause SHTF. There is little sympathy for those unprepared or uninformed of SHTF risks. These assumptions can protect a cynical prepper in an emergency since it would be very difficult to betray someone that doesn’t trust many to begin with.
Happy Preppers: Observations
One of the most important ideas for a happy prepper is the idea of community. Prepping groups are the culmination of this: a group of like-minded individuals with strengths that cancel out each other’s weaknesses. In order for a group to work, there has to be trust. For a happy prepper, that is where cynicism stops and the potential for cooperation and collaboration are realized.
But why are they happy?
Happy people make better group members. You could argue that they enjoy groups because they are happy, or that they are happy because they are in a group.
Either way, pleasant people are more pleasant to be around– even if you are preparing for SHTF.
Whereas cynics tend to point out defects and deficiencies, happy people build others up and point out opportunities.
There is a misconception that ‘happy preppers’ would have their head in the clouds dreaming of dandelion utopias. That may be true for a few, but the majority simply use a positive tone and avoid tearing others down. Happy refers to tone and presentation, rather than the end scenario- which all preppers know are not typically ‘happy’ situations.
The Middle Ground
So which is it? Are you a cynical prepper or a happy prepper?
Well, now I challenge you to throw away that label.
As I mentioned in the beginning, there are strengths and weaknesses to both types. Labels are meant for the grocery store and prepping is much deeper and nuanced than a simple label could describe. Aspire to take the strength from both the happy preppers and cynical preppers to shore up your own weaknesses.
To recap, the main strengths of a happy prepper are their sense of community and their way to effectively and pleasantly communicate. The main strengths of a cynical prepper are the way they question the status quo and find answers to tough problems. Having the perfect blend of these is impossible.
Yet, it is something worth striving for.
The Final Word
Question intentions without offending others. Become knowledgeable, but not a ‘know-it-all’. Find a group, learn new skills, and volunteer in your community. If you are never asking questions or exploring the ‘what-ifs’, perhaps you need to be a little more cynical. If prepping feels like lonely drudgery, or if you find yourself abrasive in groups, maybe you should try to be a little happier. Find the middle ground and thrive. Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
