It’s Been a SHTF Sort of Year

It’s interesting when you talk to guys about a post SHTF world and the first topic that comes up is guns, ammo and being able to hoard (or take) supplies.  They think of it like a movie where they are the Warlord of their local community, guys in body armor are standing watch while the ladies tend to the crops, missions to go secure supplies or foster relations with other tribes are ongoing, the local used to be Veterinarian is performing life saving invasive surgery after reading one chapter of “Where There Is No Doctor.”  Why are they the person in charge?  Well shoot, for any number of reasons:

• Used to be in the military (bonus if deployments overseas occurred)
• Law Enforcement
• Bench Presses over 300 lbs in the gym
• The only person who knows how to use a HAM Radio
• Any other classic stereotype

All the focus on tactics, training and paramilitary fantasies and something like bacteria in the water or an infection gained while processing wood takes down a few members of the community…not a gunfight.

My Own Personal SHTF

It’s been a tough year for me in that seemingly little (or large) things have stacked themselves against me at just about every turn.  It’s like a fight: you can defend a few attacks but the more persistent and lethal the combinations being thrown at you are the greater chance you start to fall behind.  Welcome to your own SHTF.

Let’s run it down.  I moved across the country for what seemed like an amazing job opportunity which turned out to be an incredible (and toxic) flop.  My relationship with my significant other was impacted by this, among other things and that ended up running its course.  I had a dog die, always a tough one.  I found out my daughter was diagnosed with MS, incredibly challenging for her and left me unable to leverage my “fixer dad” resources like I typically do.  Other dumb stuff like unexpected vehicle repairs, medical expenses and more kept hammering my savings account.  I interviewed for a handful of very good jobs and made it all the way to the CEO of each respective company only to be told the classic: “You know, it was such a tough decision…I mean SO TOUGH but unfortunately.”  Right.

Resilience Looks Like

One day at a time, prioritizing and trying to stay positive.  What can I do today, influence today which will improve my position?  What odd jobs can I go work to generate some cash?  How can I improve my physical and mental health?  This versus sitting on the couch in bitterness, feeling sorry for myself and wallowing in my own sadness.

Win every day, win every hour.  The past is and must stay the past, learn from it and move forward.  I’ve been through worse…

Going Forward

I’ve shelved the idea of going back to a Corporate type job.  I’ve had a few after my time in the military and they are: awful.  I won’t get into all the details but the higher you get up the chain (last role was Director of Operations) the worse it gets.  I’m now focusing on continuing to control what I can, keep my budgets in line, push through or around obstacles to increase my survivability.

I am certain there are no shortages of articles on why the world is coming to an end because of Inflation, or the war in Israel, or something about the Ukraine, or (this is something I’ll write about) the next Election cycle.  Quite honestly I haven’t given any of that a second thought.  Control my space, my area of operations…the end.

Final Thoughts

Writing like this gives me purpose and I thank you all for sticking with me over the last 14 years.  In the end we’re all in this for the long haul, the ups and downs and everything that comes along with it.  I’ve got a few topics in mind and will post as they come to me.  All the best.