A New Year’s Resolution for an Uncertain Future

Normally, just like everyone else, I just resolve to spend
more time at the gym. But as the first Trump inauguration loomed, in early
January 2017, my New Year’s resolutions were higher stakes than usual.

I knew that I would have to volunteer more of my time to
local politics. I would also try to look after my own sanity: I would read more
novels, spend less time online and more time outdoors. But, while I was
concerned about bettering the world without losing my mind, I wondered even
more how to prepare for the impending societal collapse I feared was coming.

I feared Trump’s presidency vastly increased the likelihood
of civil war, meltdown of the government, climate disaster, or collapse of the
international order. I did not consider moving to the country, building a cabin,
and learning to kill deer and make venison, nor did I price the cost of bunkers
on the internet. Instead, I joined my neighborhood food co-op.

I figured that whatever was coming, we’d need to strengthen
our local institutions to get through it. I’m not an anarchist. I think we need
more government, not less, which is why I joined a socialist organization the
same year. I didn’t think, however, that socialism was going to reach us in
time to steer us through some of the madness coming our way, and the co-op with
its particular structure offered something more immediate and grounded: more
food security and options, as well as a way to solve problems collectively if
our country found itself in a crisis affecting our food supply.

Now, as in 2020, many are stockpiling goods—bottled water,
canned food—in case of a full-on societal meltdown. TikTok
has plenty of tips on preparing for January 2025 and beyond—specifically for
the eventuality many so-called “preppers” refer to as “SHTF”
(for when “Shit Hits the Fan”). In one example, a TikToker surrounded by
bags and cartons of dry goods explains what foods are essential, warning, “You
want to save this video because the world looks increasingly unsafe, and you
don’t want to rely on a fragile food delivery system.”