The apocalypse has arrived. You might have always imagined that you’d be the rugged lone wolf, stalking through the wasteland, surviving on sheer wit and a diet of questionable mushrooms. But in reality? Lone wolves tend to die—usually because of an infected wound, a bad decision, or sheer exhaustion.
In fact, the key to surviving any world-ending disaster is community.
But building a strong community of people you can count on isn’t easy. Best to get started now.
Befriend Your Neighbors (Before You Need Them)
Yes, even the ones who never bring their trash cans in on time.
The people who live closest to you are the people you’ll most likely rely on in an emergency. Whether it’s a natural disaster or a slow-burning societal collapse, knowing your neighbors before things go sideways can mean the difference between survival and desperation.
Learn their names. (Seriously, just knowing their names is a good start.)
Find out what they do for work. If one of them is a doctor or mechanic, that’s information worth filing away. It’s also great to know a little bit about their personality. Are they selfish or generous? Do they offer to help out or talk to you with the chain still on the door? Are they open to your attempts to befriend them or do they always try to shut you out?
Offer small favors—help shovel snow, carry groceries, be the person who has an extra battery when the power goes out. Reciprocity builds trust.
Because let’s be honest—when the world starts crumbling, you don’t want to be “mysterious hermit neighbor.” You want to be the person they want to help.
Watch for opportunities to show up. You never know when your neighbor might need a helping hand that they aren’t sure how to ask for. It might be something simple, like bringing in their packages when they’re on vacation or going to their awkward holiday party. Or something more complicated, like feeding their cat when they’re in the hospital. But showing up when they need you is a surefire way to let them know: if the world ends, I’ve got your back.
Get Involved in Local Groups
It doesn’t matter if it’s the PTA, a gardening club, or a volunteer fire department—being involved in your community before a crisis means you’ll have a support system when one happens.
Join a local Facebook group (Yes, even the chaotic ones full of neighborhood drama).
Attend city meetings (You don’t have to care about zoning laws, but it’s good to know who does).
Find local skill-sharing workshops—some places offer free classes on first aid, self-defense, or basic survival skills.
The goal isn’t to become the town prepper; it’s to become known. If people know you and trust you before the apocalypse, they’re a lot more likely to let you in when things go bad.
Bonus points: they’re also more likely to let you in when the apocalypse doesn’t come. They’re more likely to help you with moves toward social justice, more likely to buy girl scout cookies from your kid, and more likely to be someone you can count on.
Community never hurts. So go make some friends.
Learn the Art of Barter & Reciprocity
Money might not mean much in an apocalypse, but skills and favors always have value. Start practicing now:
Swap favors instead of paying for everything (Need your lawn mowed? Offer homemade bread in return).
Learn skills that are valuable in a crisis—basic car repair, first aid, gardening.
Be the person who helps others without expecting anything in return (Because generosity now = loyalty later).
If you start building goodwill today, you won’t be knocking on doors begging for help when the world falls apart—you’ll be part of a network that already wants to help each other.
Surviving alone isn’t just difficult—it’s exhausting. If you build community now, you won’t just increase your odds of survival—you’ll make life better in the meantime.
And if the apocalypse never comes? Well, at least you’ll know your neighbors' names, have a solid group of friends, and won’t have to barter your last can of beans to get someone to fix your car. Win-win-win-win.
