Being self-reliant in the event of an emergency does not just happen. It is a rational process that involves planning, preparation, education and execution. Paranoia is an irrational response driven by fear, fake news and a distorted view of reality. Example:
A paranoid person may fear an alien invasion and believe a tin foil hat will prevent the aliens from eating their brain.
A prepared person may fear social unrest from a nearby urban area and take precautions to secure himself and his dwelling or avoid the area until events normalize.
These are extreme examples but they illustrate the point that one is rational and the other is not. To the uninformed both viewpoints look the same. When you tell friends and neighbors you are "thinking" about becoming more self reliant, some may hit you with the A word or the P word. As illustrated in the following sentence.
"What are you AFRAID of, are you PARANOID? Are you one of those PREPPERS?"
Social pressure can be a real killer sometimes. This is illustrated by the observation of "crab mentality" on a bucket of live crabs. Even though a single crab can easily escape by climbing out of the bucket, the other crabs grab onto it preventing the escape. It is an observation of how groups can undermine progress of an individual that is doing something different.
Fortunately we are not crabs. If you as a person see's the need to become self reliant for you and your family, one strategy is to keep your preparations quiet. To use a military term, OpSec (operational security) is an important idea to be factored into your preparations. Spouses and especially children don't see the need to keep your planning secret, especially in normal times.
"Oh isn't that cute, Daddy is preparing for the end of the world. Silly Daddy." It almost make one wish for the apocalypse. Of course your family situation may be different. Make it a family activity if you can, especially when it comes time to practice your plan.
Another strategy is to educate yourself and become the resident expert on self reliance and present your findings to the neighborhood association or HOA. You may find kindred spirits who are interested or have already started their own preparations. Long term survival in the event of an emergency is dependent on communities coming together for mutual support.
Self Reliance starts with yourself as the primary responsible individual. Then it expands to include immediate family, then community (neighbors, local friends). Your sphere of influence becomes dissipated the more people and distance is added. It takes the pressure off of local government when they don't have to include you and yours in their distribution plan. It also enables you to be a help to those who haven't prepared like the weak and elderly.
By J.R.
