Is it just me...or does anyone else here feel overwhelmed...or exasperated...or even a bit lethargic? I've done most of the preparing that I can do. I've spent a substantial amount of money (considering our family's budget). Why do I have this feeling of "guilt"...or "trepidation"? Why is it seeming like it was all a waste of time?

The wife and I keep telling ourselves that at least we'll be much more self sufficient in the future...but isn't there more to it that that?

-- Dan (dbuchner@logistics.calibersys.com), May 11, 1999

Answers

Dan,

The military has a term for it, "hurry up and wait". I think what you are feeling is felt by almost everyone that has been dealing with this uncertainty for more than a few months. Even deJager has mentioned his own frustrations with this current period we are in. It's normal. If your continuous evaluation of the situation still points to the preparation plans you have made, don't try to secondguess it right now. It's kind of like navigating in the good old days where you took a postion check, sailed all night, maybe even another day or two because of cloudy skies, and then took another position check. The next check tells you if you are still plotting "on course or off course". It's the best you can do for now.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), May 11, 1999.

Hang in there Dan,

I've been at this Y2K thing since the summer of 1997. I still can't believe it has been that long. I used to hope the sheet would hit the fan just to teach those DGIs a lesson.

I'm praying for a non-event. Sure feels good to be prepared for anyting that might come down the road, though.

GeeGee

-- GeeGee (GeeGee@madtown.com), May 11, 1999.

Dan,

You're probably experiencing what many here have at one point or another, especially not knowing whether all or any of your efforts will prove to be necessary. Rob Michaels has a thread in the archives dealing with "regrets"; it's worth reading if you get the chance. There have been other threads from folks realizing they went overboard by buying a million matches or whatever. I think it's just part of this process.

Regrets may be inevitable, especially if you got caught up in some panic buying. But, don't feel guilty. It serves no purpose. You and your wife made decisions to prepare for something based on the information you had at hand. This always involves an element of risk that you bought or did something(s) that will be unnecessary and seem like a waste of money. Personally, my wife and I agreed up front not to buy anything we couldn't use under circumstances other than Y2K. Most of the things we purchased will serve us well in ANY power outage or winter storm where travel to the grocery store is impossible for a few days. Canned foods that make great lunches any day, back-up heat, back-up lighting, back-up water and the like are all things that we should have had on hand in case of ANY emergency. Other preps are made in anticipation of a significant economic downturn. Canning supplies, veggie garden expansion and supplies, extra clothes for the kids, etc. Again, here we tried to stick with those things that would prove useful and durable in all circumstances, not just for Y2K.

Perhaps it would be better to think of the alternative uses of your supplies in case they are not needed for Y2K. A few months ago, a snowstorm hit our area and everyone was flooding the stores for supplies and food in anticipation. My wife and I were able to sit back and relax knowing that we were prepared.

In the end, I would suggest that if you are as prepared as you beleive is necessary at this point, relax and go about your life without looking back. Enjoy this summer! We never know (Y2K or not) what the future holds. Stop worrying about tomorrow. Enjoy today while you can.

Hope this helps.

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), May 11, 1999.

'Preparation and Regrets' thread link:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000iTj

-- (justbeing@help.ful), May 11, 1999.

A month or two ago I was feeling really burned out. I just wanted to forget about this whole thing and hope for the best. I logged on to the forum and found half a dozen other people were feeling the same way. I felt a little better. I eased up on the schedule a bit, left it all alone for a couple weeks, now I'm charging full-speed again.

So take it easy for a bit, do something fun. Do something based on the idea that TWAWKI will still be around next year. But then remember that it might not be. In that case, the preparations you're making now may be the most important thing you've ever done in your life.

Of course, if you really feel that you're all done with your preps, go ahead and forget about it. Smell the roses.

-- Shimrod (shimrod@lycosmail.com), May 11, 1999.

David,

That was the one restriction we put on ourselves as well...not to buy anything that couldn't be used later. And we've thought long and hard about the purchases we have made. So...I guess I don't have any regrets...

Y'know, this whole thing has just been too wierd since the beginning. I found out about it at work, where the system I use had to be replaced. After that, I did a lot of my own research and found out THE THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS about y2k:

1) No one knows what will happen. 2) No one can even guess what will happen. 3) Anyone who tells you they know what will happen is full of shit.

All you can do is make your own best judgement based on the informatio n/misinformation/facts/spin.

Be responsible for your own family. Don't laugh at those who are making some plans.

-- dan (dbuchner@logistics.calibersys.com), May 11, 1999.

Disconnect from the internet, TV, and radio for at least a month and then come back and see how differently you view things. I did it and I have a different perspective on Y2K. Sometimes you just have to step back and take a breather, it will do you a world of good. Good luck. P.S. I didn't have withdrawals like I thought I would.

-- twicearound (twicearound@twice.com), May 11, 1999.

Plan for the unexpected. Prepare for the unknown.

Then take a walk and enjoy the sunshine.

Remember ... balance in all things.

;-D

Diane, still living in earthquake country

*Sigh*

(Clearly, it's also time for another caffee latte! Ta!)

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 11, 1999.

I and Mrs. Kennedy have felt this strain also. A major contributing factor to our "burnout" is actually from seeing others carry on like "nothing was happening". We are spending our vacation money on prep supplies. They are happily buying plane tickets, new bathing suits, and making reservations. Could part of the burnout be that "they" are ignoring us, and having a high-ole-time? Could it be partially envy?.

Mr. K

-- Mr. Kennedy (Mr.K@work.today), May 11, 1999.

Once you have self and family prepped, perhaps you can direct your energy into community preparation.

Scott Johnson's Caper Jones interview has interesting links to 04/07/1999 article on Municipal Contingency Planning and a 1998 article on Y2K scenarios.

I believe the rest of the USA is just coming to recognize that Y2K will have serious impacts. Local municipalities and church groups will need all the help they can get (even if they don't recognize their needs yet). So, I suspect everyone on this list has an understanding of Y2K that would benefit their local community.

Individual preparation will enable one to avoid being caught in a panic later. Community preparation will help to build community cohesion and prevent the worst case social chaos.

Peace to you,

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), May 11, 1999.

Yesterday is history

Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a gift

That's why it's call the present.

-- GeeGee (GeeGee@madtown.com), May 11, 1999.

Mr.K., I'm not sure that it is envy as much as the isolation of not being reinforced by a group. That wears on you after a while. Then you realize how important it has been to be part of a 'group' in terms of your emotional comfort. Probably most people here are pretty individualistic, have their own drummer somewhere. Still it is daunting to realize the pull of the herd.

Dan, do take some time. It sounds like typical 'battle fatigue'/adrenal exhaustion. Take a break and regain you energy. All your thinking has been prudent and valid. It will still be that way 6 months from now.

-- David (C.D@I.N), May 11, 1999.

Dear Twicearound, Just curious..after you took off a month, what was your perspective when you came back on the internet and revisited the old sites? Did you feel more commited than ever to prepare, or did the newly gained perspective cause you to lean more toward the "bump in the road" scenario? Sometimes I also think that this is a crazy merry-go- round that makes perfect sense,and then sometimes I think that I'm the one who's crazy.

-- (allsweet@rocketmail.com), May 11, 1999.

Dan,

I understand where you are coming from on the burn out issue. I, myself, was starting to feel it as of late. But with the tornado that went through OKC last week, and the personal tribulations associated with it, I am burned out both mentally and physically.

When I returned to this board and read the bickering that I had (almost) enjoyed so much for the past few months, somehow it didn't matter anymore. I just didn't care. In some weird way, I still don't care.

What I do care about, is looking into the beautiful eyes of my son. How could I possibly tell him that there is no more food in the house to eat? How could I tell him that the last sip of water was used to make lunch, and we have no other fluids? This is what I care about.

So, I will keep at it and do the best that I can. However, I am taking time to enjoy the NOW as well as prepare for the future. Everything is no longer Y2K to me, but for enjoying today for what it is, as you never know what will happen tomorrow or in the next few hours. Do not get me wrong, I will prepare and prepare and prepare. But, as for this moment, Y2K has lost much of the steam in this old engine. I made up my mind months ago about a life change, and will stick to it. I do not want to have to depend on the system (or agency) for what I need. One day at a time - ODAAT.

Hopefully, before it is to late, we both will find a renewed force within ourselves to yet again kick it into high gear, for the time is ticking away quickly. But if I can offer you one piece of advice, do stop to smell the roses, as winter will be upon us once again.

-- (cannot-say@this.time), May 11, 1999.

"I used to hope the sheet would hit the fan just to teach those DGIs a lesson," said GeeGee.

Sadly, I fear that is much, if not all, of what drives this page and other preparedness sites.

-- J.D. (jxd29@hotmail.com), May 11, 1999.

"I used to hope the sheet would hit the fan just to teach those DGIs a lesson," said GeeGee.

Sadly, I fear that is much, if not all, of what drives this page and other preparedness sites.

-- J.D. (jxd29@hotmail.com), May 11, 1999.

Nope, not so. The will to survive with our families intact is what drives us.

Mr. K

-- Mr. Kennedy (Mr.K@home.tonight), May 11, 1999.

Well said, Mr. Kennedy, well said!

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), May 11, 1999.

OK Here goes, Flame Away. I simply don't understand all this talk of being overwhelmed, burned out, exasperation, envy, lethargy, regrets fear and depression. I understand everyone's concern about the future, but all this "sturm and drang," is a bit much. Actually, and I don't mean to be smug, but if you've done your preps, and you feel comfortable with them, then why are you moaning. You're ruining your present by living in the future. You're already ahead of a lot of people who are flitting off to vacations. Get over it! No wonder other countries call us spoiled children.

We're so busy I wish we had time to worry and stew. The garden is behind schedule and the weeds are on a roll. We're having to build up the dirt and are short of the good stuff. My soul mate is supposed to have hip replacement surgery as soon as possible, but he's putting it off as long as he can stand it, as we have so much to get done. We like to work; the physical activity lifts the spirits and keeps our old bodies moving. But best of all seeing the results of our labors give us feelings of satisfaction for jobs well done.

We're remodeling an old house for our retirement home, and are doing it ourselves. We can't get drywall, the prices of everything has shot up, and we're not as strong as we used to be, but that's life. Actually I find all of the building, gardening, storing, world events and y2k interesting; I can almost smell a sea change coming on. Interesting does not necessarily mean good or happy or filled with security, just interesting.

We've both traveled widely in our past, so going on one more vacation has little attraction. We too, didn't spend money on anything that wouldn't be used over the long haul--well maybe those silly survival straws. hee hee! But it was an interesting job; it's done; rotate and forget it. Look at what you've done and feel like the Little Red Hen. It might not hurt to feel a tiny bit self-satisfied. But quit moping!

Today I have on my safety orange, flame proof pants, so no problem.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), May 12, 1999.

Perhaps a self-diagnostic is in order, gilda. It appears your compassion chip is malfunctioning yet again. ;-D

Now that the obligatory flame is out of the way...

As a part-time member of the human race, I too have experienced burn out, exasperation, lethargy, regrets, fear and depression. I have found the following to be of great help in 'getting over it':

1. Increase focus upon my spiritual practices.

2. Open my heart to all I come in contact with. Smile from the Heart!

3. Look to lend a hand to folks any way I can. Random acts of kindness do wonders for the soul.

4. Break my routine. Do something really out of character. Shake things up!

Best Wishes to All,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 12, 1999.