So, you’ve decided to at least try to live through the apocalypse. Congrats! Denial never helped anyone survive a cataclysmic event. But before you start hoarding canned beans and building a bunker out of sheer panic, take a breath. You need a plan.
And not just any plan—many plans.
Because here’s the thing: the apocalypse is a flexible concept. It might be a slow-burn collapse of society. It might be an overnight disaster. It might involve zombies, artificial intelligence, or an unprecedented shortage of coffee. And trust me, that last one is more terrifying than it sounds.
So, how do you plan for the unknown? Scenario planning.
Step 1: Identify Your Flavor of Apocalypse
Not all world-ending events are created equal. You can’t prepare the same way for a nuclear winter as you would for a rogue AI takeover (unless your plan is just “die early”—in which case, I respect your efficiency).
A few potential flavors of doom to consider:
Nuclear War – Stock up on potassium iodide, learn to love underground living.
Pandemic 2.0: Electric Boogaloo – Masks, hand sanitizer, and an understanding of how supply chains break down.
AI Uprising – Are you on good terms with your Roomba? You might want to start being polite.
Climate Disaster – Know your region. Hurricanes, wildfires, floods—each requires different planning.
Zombie Outbreak – Cardio. Enough said.
There are a lot more options than that, of course. You might have multiple catastrophes at once—a zombie pandemic caused by an AI uprising triggers a climate disaster! Oh no! Alexander didn’t know his day could get even worse.
Step 2: The “What If?” Game
Now that you have a category, start asking, “What if?” The goal isn’t to panic (though that’s always an option) but to problem-solve before the problem arrives.
What if the power grid goes down indefinitely?
What if you have to evacuate with ten minutes’ notice?
What if the internet vanishes overnight? (Gasp I know.)
What if you wake up and realize you’re the leader of a small, ragtag group of survivors, and they all expect you to have answers?
By running different scenarios, you can identify gaps in your preparedness. Do you have supplies? A way to communicate? A meeting place for family and friends? A plan that doesn’t rely on Google Maps still working?
Step 3: Be a Little Bit Crazy (But in a Fun Way)
The best preppers aren’t doomsday lunatics—they’re creative problem solvers. Running scenarios doesn’t mean you need to turn your house into a bunker or start exclusively eating MREs. But thinking ahead gives you an edge.
So, start small.
Test a 24-hour “grid down” drill—no power, no internet, no DoorDash.
Map out your best evacuation routes, just in case. Maybe buy a map of your local area?
Play “spot the resource” when you’re out—where’s the nearest fresh water? Where could you shelter? What tools could you grab that might come in handy?
And most importantly? Have a sense of humor about it. Because if the world does end, you’ll want to be stuck with people who can laugh while rationing peanut butter.
Read my very own apocalypse!