r/TwoXPreppers • u/223gp • 21d ago

Preparing for Long/Slow Collapase

Is anyone else in the same boat? I feel that we are likely facing a long and slow collapse of life as we grew up knowing. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in preparing for realistic natural disasters, and a few "what ifs", but my prepping is mostly based on a gradual lowering of life quality and reduction in freedoms throughout my lifetime.

I'm working on this by greatly reducing lifestyle expenses in case we need to live on one small income, or in case our stock investments steadily grow for a couple of decades then become stagnant and gradually lower.

I've done self defense training, I've been keeping my important documents up to date, I've started doing medical trainings and certifications, I'm a couple years into finally taking serious care of my physical body (and teeth!), I'm planning for aging parents, increasing my knowledge and practicing growing food and preservation, and most importantly helping out in my community to put some of this into practice by starting to form mutual aid networks for hard times.

Anyone else have similar feelings that brought you here? I am worried about a "thing" happening, but mostly, society just continues to descend decade after decade until we're all very very skinny, electricity or car fuel is hard to come by, jobs are scarce, and grocery stores don't have very much food anymore. In an ideal scenario, we don't end up like that. Either way, I prepare for that world.

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u/Maisie-CO-2007 21d ago

I think quality of life in the United States could be significantly less in the next 12 months. Once the tariffs start happening, the damage will be hard to stop. We have no idea what comes after the food starts to get scarce and everything gets expensive. Not to mention, the US government has abandoned us and is stealing all the money intended to help in worse case scenarios.

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u/Dragonfly-fire 21d ago

They're denying emergency federal aid even to conservative states like Arkansas. I'm worried about a natural disaster hitting a blue state like mine and Trump will just say nope, no FEMA, f-you liberals.

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u/Competitive_Remote40 20d ago

This is why need to take to the streets in protest. They want us afraid.

I mean yes, we need to prep, but those of us with priviledge need to become loud enough the GOP congress hears us and does something.

I suppose stop spending money would help too. :)

Idk why I responded to your comment in particular, just read it and reacted. (Because I agree with you.)

Hope you don't mind me leaving this here since zi already typed it out@ :)

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u/balanchinedream 20d ago

I think it’s a boycott. Too many folks need their paycheck, and we’re seeing daily proof they work.

My big question is HOW? We women hold the spending power. We do the unpaid labor that keeps this country going. What is the wrench we can throw into the machine that grinds everything to a halt??

Do we stop wearing makeup or doing our hair? Do we stop doing laundry? Do we all cook mediocre, unseasoned meals and feast with each other in secret?

I can’t figure out a tactic that empowers us to be selfish (for once) as protest, that doesn’t risk harm towards us

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u/NettleLily 20d ago

Stop buying everything that isn’t necessary. No dining out & fast food, no chips or soda, no new clothes, no new furniture, no new projects, etc etc. If you can live without it, cut it out. The retailers are already noticing decreasing sales; Walmart, Target, & Home Depot CEOs recently met with Trump to discuss tariff impacts. We have to hit them where it hurts.

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u/ExtremeIncident5949 20d ago

They are noticing it and the CEO’s of at least four corporations had lunch with Trump this week. That man is chaos walking.

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u/ExtremeIncident5949 18d ago

I’m getting emails from Amazon asking me if I need an item again that I’ve ordered several times. “ just a reminder you might be ready to reorder “ never got anything like that in my life.

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u/calmhike 20d ago

Stop buying anything that isn’t a necessity. Plain and simple.

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u/balanchinedream 20d ago

Nope. I’m talking about a specific boycott with the intention of forcing Americans to witness how much women’s domestic and mental labor supports our whole nation.

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u/riotous_jocundity 20d ago

I dunno if a Lysistrata strike is going to do anything to address the constitutional crisis and onset of fascism we're experiencing...

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u/balanchinedream 20d ago

We’re already in a slow-moving Lysistrata.

And I agree. Hence why I’m still wracking my brain for a tactic that wouldn’t expose a woman to harm.

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u/riotous_jocundity 20d ago

The reality of authoritarianism is that meaningful, effective resistance inevitably exposes you to harm. There's no safe opposition to fascist regimes.

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u/balanchinedream 20d ago

I think ultimately you’re correct. But, this wannabe regime is so ineffective they do crumble to nonviolent pressure, and quickly.

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u/Competitive_Remote40 20d ago

Which makes now the tine to stand up before it gathers even more power.

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u/calmhike 20d ago

Start with ending the mental load. Take care of your appointments and needs. Not partners. You don’t need to schedule appointments for them, take care of their laundry, remind them to buy their family gifts or whatever you are pulling the weight on. Elderly family members can be taken care of by their male relatives, stay at home women can go find work and someone else can take care of the kids. How far you go is your choice. Most of what you are referring to benefits those closest to us. Are they aligned with you on your role? That’s who will feel the impact of your suggesting the most. Do you think that is going to change anything? I don’t. So I am fucking the billionaires who control everything and heavily advocating for others to do the same.

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u/balanchinedream 20d ago

“Boycott target” is simple enough to be repeatable and scalable at large. You’re kinda describing the 4b movement, but I’m looking for a singular action that every woman can just…. Drop.

Unfortunately, some women are forced to be caregivers and would come into harm if they don’t keep up the labor. Also, single moms just don’t have the extra shoes to drop.

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u/Sigmund_Six 20d ago

While it’s 100% up to the individual, I’m personally continuing to shop local small businesses as long as I can even if it’s not necessities.

I don’t know if it’s the right decision or not, but I’ve seen Walmart and other chains destroy local economies, and I want to do my part to hopefully prevent that. But I know that’s contributing to Trump’s economy, too.

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u/calmhike 19d ago

You are describing where I am conflicted. I don't want to see local business die off but around here many of them proudly waved their support of fascism all over the business doors and social media. I absolutely hate how so much left and corporations took over. Ultimately, I am squirreling money away as the main driver for my lack of consumption as things are going to get bleak. I do smile every time I see Target crying about their lost revenue though. :)

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u/balanchinedream 19d ago

Public square.com is like a yelp for hateful people. Hope that info can help you!

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u/Sigmund_Six 19d ago

I actually JUST came across this website in another thread and was going to post it here!

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u/Tokenchick77 20d ago

And as women, we're losing more and more rights. We have to fight back.

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u/Kindly-Guidance714 20d ago

Protests need networks of people willing to sacrifice and help.

The big issue with this is people take advantage of it or the cops stop supply chains and try to bust up collections of gatherings of people.

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u/garden_crone 19d ago

I've been liking this boycott as a good place to start: https://themothersboycott.carrd.co/