One Year to preparedness: take stock, take power
- Kristen, Head Honey Badger
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
How to Do a Real Preparedness Inventory (Without Panic or Perfection)
Please join Honey Badger Preps in a Year to Preparedness, starting at the top! Preparedness doesn’t have to start with alarms, gear lists, or scary headlines. Sometimes it starts with something much simpler, taking a gentle look around your own home.
If the word inventory sounds intimidating, take a breath. This isn’t about spreadsheets, judgment, or discovering everything you’ve done “wrong.” It’s about noticing what you already have and getting a clearer picture of what supports you day to day.
Think of this as a low-pressure check-in with your space. No rush. No urgency. Just curiosity.
Most people are surprised to find that they’re already partway prepared without realizing it. Inventory helps turn that quiet readiness into confidence, and it gives you a solid place to build from, one small step at a time.
Why Inventory Comes First
Most people avoid inventory because they assume it will confirm they’re behind. In reality, inventory usually does the opposite, it shows you that preparedness is already in motion.
Inventory replaces vague anxiety with concrete information. Once things are visible, they’re manageable.
Set the Conditions (Keep This Simple)
You don’t need a clipboard and a bunker mindset. You need:
You don’t have to do it all at once.
A notebook, notes app, or printed checklist
A calm, curious attitude
This is reconnaissance, not a performance review.
What You’re Actually Looking For
As you move through your space, you’re not just counting items, you’re answering four quiet questions:
What do I already have? Food, water, first aid, flashlights, batteries, medications, pet supplies, warm clothing, tools. Write it down even if it feels “inadequate.” Reality first.
Where is it? Supplies scattered across the house are harder to use under stress. Notice whether items are centralized, labeled, or buried in mystery bins.
What condition is it in? Check expiration dates. Battery corrosion. Leaks. Cracked containers. Preparedness fails quietly when gear ages unnoticed.
What would run out first? This is the gold. The items you use such as daily, water, medications, pet food, are usually the first vulnerabilities. Inventory reveals pressure points.
How to Move Through the House
Work room by room. No stress. Do this over the week.
Kitchen → pantry → garage → closets → bathroom → pet areas.
You’re not organizing yet. You’re observing. Organization comes later. Inventory is about seeing clearly.
Common Inventory Discoveries (All Normal)
People often find:
Three flashlights… and zero batteries
Food that sounded good six months ago but won’t get eaten
Supplies they forgot they owned
Gaps that are much smaller than expected
This is success, not failure. Inventory is working when it surprises you.
What Not to Do
Don’t buy anything yet
Don’t shame yourself
Don’t aim for “done”
Inventory is a snapshot, not a verdict.
What Comes Next
Once inventory is complete, the next steps become obvious:
Fill the most important gaps first ( we will talk more about that in the next blog)
Centralize supplies
Build slowly and intentionally
Preparedness becomes less emotional and more strategic.
Click Here for a downloadable to help you inventory this month!
The Real Win
Taking inventory does something subtle but powerful and it shifts you from reactive to ready.
You stop guessing. You start deciding.
That’s what taking power actually looks like.
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