Is emergency preparedness a hobby or a lifestyle? The internet and media often show the extremes of the community. This can often be a deterrent for new preppers to join communities for fear of being ridiculed or not having the same level of commitment as the die hards. Do not feel under pressure to amass supplies that have taken others years to gather. Emergency preparedness is more of a marathon than a sprint.
I like to treat emergency preparedness as a hobby in the same way as any other hobby. If you enjoy it and have fun with it, then you will keep at it and grow your skills and knowledge. Whatever you are preparing for is an uncertainty and a gamble so if you force it, you will feel discouraged and prep with a sense of regret of the time and money spent.
Treat it like something you enjoy, and the time and money will just seem like something you spent on entertainment and fun, similar to going to the movies or a night out. This in my opinion is a great way to prepare for the unexpected without becoming discouraged or burnt out then turning it into another chore that must be done. Make it fun, include your family, try new things, and soon you’ll realize you enjoy preparedness more than you thought.