Sometimes, the best path ahead begins with a step back from the situation. While we might be reluctant to give up that step, we have to believe that it’s not the first step in a retreat and recognize that it’s the initial move to a better outcome. When you’re too close to a problem, it often helps to take a step back and look at it from a broader, or at least a different, perspective. We’ve all heard the saying “can’t see the forest for the trees,” and this is a great example of how we face many challenges as we work to make ourselves more self-reliant and less susceptible to threats to our way of life. If we get too focused on the minutiae or the individual aspects of a plan or goal, we can undermine our own efforts by missing other opportunities that may be more effective and efficient.
With this in mind, a half-dozen of this issue’s articles look at opportunities for reflection on alternatives to a variety of aspects of preparedness planning. From bugging out to cooking dinner to ways to save money, there are options to consider that can enhance our plans and improve our outcomes. As you read them, you may see ideas that you considered in the past and rejected for reasons that made sense at the time. Keeping in mind that the core purpose of prepping is to be ready for change, look at those suggestions again, as your situation may have evolved since you ruled those options out and they might make sense for you now.
Will Dabbs’ cover article on bugging out in a small plane is an interesting take on the subject of escaping trouble, and while it’s not practical for all, it provides some excellent upsides for those who can take advantage of this mode of travel. You might also learn that this option isn’t as costly as you thought.