We all get it at one time or another. Listening to all the bad news that the media is reporting, reading prepper books, working our butts off to get as much as possible in place so we might be prepared for what ever happens and just the feeling that no matter how much we prep we are going to be unprepared for something. All combined it can really get you down. Some times you need to step away from prepping and just enjoy the moment. Doing so can renew your spirit and your resolve not to let anything get in the way of you enjoying life while you prepare for a time when things will no longer be as enjoyable as they can be right now.
That has been me for the last week. I have been suffering from prepper burn out. I just couldn't seem to find the energy I need to prep. I was suppose to can blueberry pie filling, jelly and syrup but every time I got ready to do it. I just could not work up the energy. Instead of it being a task that I normally enjoy doing and usually consider my "me" time it became a daunting, over whelming task that I just could not bring myself to do. It finally dawned on me that I was suffering from burnout and decided to take some real "me" time. I knew I needed to step back from the things I normally do and just take things one minute at a time and see where it led me. I quit watching the news, I more or less avoided my yahoo email groups and just did things that give me a lot of pleasure in life.
I still have been doing my every day household chores but as far as getting any prepping done I have not really done much. Instead I have been reading books on all sorts of things. Like container gardening, companion planting, raised bed gardening, fiction, romance and even Christmas stories. I have been doing a little sewing and crocheting, quite a bit of baking and just enjoying sitting outside in the warm sun watching Mother Nature do her thing painting her beautiful fall colors. Hubby even took me for a long ride down the Natches Trace so I could enjoy the fall colors. He knows me well and know taking a long ride to see all the beautiful colors is one of my most favortie things to do. I just love looking at all the brillant golds, reds and yellows mixed it with the greens.
Now that I feel revived and full of life again I will get back to prepping. I don't feel bad about having to step back from prepping and I don't feel that because I have not prepped I have let my family down. Burnout changes your demeanor. It makes you depressed and sad and hard to get along with some times so stepping back lets you calm yourself and lets you enjoy life without a worry for a small amount of time. It renews you in all ways and gives you the strength to carry on in life and renews your love of doing all you can to protect your family. It can also renew your hope that one day things will be better, Maybe not right away or with in the first few years if SHTF but you know things will improve and what you worked so hard for can come again.
So if you ever suffer from prepper burnout make sure to take a step back away from it and enjoy life in the present. Forget about the future for a short time and just enjoy being with your family and friends, enjoying Mother Nature and all her wonders and even be a little lazy. Enjoy a good book, Listen to some music you like and I do mean listen to it. Not just have it on for back ground noise. Sing along with it, dance around to the beat and really get into enjoying the music. Do what ever it takes to renew your spirit and renew your love of life, family and friends.
Prepping Granny