Protecting Inner Peace

One of the ways to protect your inner peace is to prepare for unfortunate events.

Think of situations that can happen unexpectedly. From small things like a power outage or having a flat tire, to bigger things like another pandemic or a food crisis.

What can you do now to protect yourself from stress, worry, overwhelm, helplessness, and destruction?

The small inconveniences are easy to prepare for.

• Get powerbanks and charge them to full everyday, or get a generator if you have the budget. Buy solar lights and stock up on candles. Those are enough to get you through hours of no electricity.
• Learn how to change tires, so that you don't end up helpless by the side of the road when you find yourself with a flat tire. Make sure you have a spare tire in good condition at all times. And if you have the budget to buy a car, you should also have the budget for regular preventive maintenance—less chances of your car breaking down.
• Always carry a first-aid kit, with a set of the usual medications—for headaches and other pains, for allergies, for cough and cold, for diarrhea and constipation, for indigestion and heartburn, and others.

These can happen anytime, so prepare for them now. When they do happen, it's no big deal. You can deal with it easily. Don't let them rob you of your peace.

The bigger ones need more planning and months (or years) of preparation.

• You need to have an emergency fund that can cover your expenses if you lose your job, or if a terrible sickness befalls you or your family. You can also start other income streams to lessen the risk.
• If you want to have complete independence to protect yourself from economic, political, and social shifts, you'll need to invest time, energy, and money in a self-sustaining lifestyle. A home where you can harvest your own vegetables, take care of livestock, get energy from solar panels, and many more. It depends on your preferences, and how comfortable you are with reliance and risks.

Aside from all those practical preparations, you also have to prepare yourself mentally. Here are some ways you can do that:

• Don't get attached to materials things. You can lose them anytime, especially in a crisis.
• Train yourself to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Get yourself used to inconveniences and challenges.
• Practice stoicism. Let go of things you can't control, and focus only on things you can. It's no good worrying about what might happen or what is currently happening; focus on what you can work on instead, so that you can make your circumstances more favorable.

The question to ask is: if a pandemic or a food crisis or an economic collapse happens, will you be prepared? Will you be okay? Will you still be able to live comfortably? Will you still live with inner peace?

By preparing now, you can enjoy peace of mind. You can eliminate those little worries in your head. Because you know that whatever happens in the future, you can handle it. You're ready.

And, when crisis hits, you can remain calm, composed, and capable.