Chill/Low key-prepping is EXACTLY what I mean when I say I'm into a DIY lifestyle. Learning canning, preserving, mending, doing my own repairs on my bike, my backcountry camping gear, butchering, scavenging... I mean, I do it for environmentalist reasons and because I like to be able to do things myself. But it's not like it doesn't also help me calm down when I'm nervous about shit going down.

I know I have my backcountry camping stuff packed as a go bag, that I always have an up-to-date backwoods medical kit on hand, that I keep lightweight water filtration systems and iodine tablets where I can find them within reach in my home. I am considering getting a backup generator this summer as well.

During the pandemic, knowing my neighbors made a huge difference. If we hadn't formed a tenant association beforehand, I don't think we would have been as able to look after each other and ourselves. (Taking turns going to the store, checking in, resource pooling, buying sacks of rice and huge quantities of dried beans to share with food insecure neighbors) Chill prepping, I think, as you described, can be a facet of community organizing and environmental responsibility. Learning how to look after yourself, and support others, is a form of community care. Learning how to fix, use, and reuse what you have on hand not only serves in a crisis, but assists in a more sustainable lifestyle that doesn't overly depend on capitalism to survive.

Side note: Glad we're both nuts in a similarly hot, cool way. Definitely not soothing myself in the middle of the night by planning how to make myself more self-reliant/resilient so I can look after everyone I love. WHO DOES THAT.