#SURVIVAL TIPS

[schattenhonig]

As someone whose parents grew up and were politically active in GDR (German Democratic Republic, a socialist surveillance regime) and taught me most of these when I was a child, I'd like to add:

Be very, VERY careful what you post on social media, as every post contains information about you, even if it's something you don't think is important. They can and will collect every snippet and put them together like a puzzle, and you never know to what conclusions they might come

Don't discuss sensitive topics in front of children. No matter how often you tell them to keep quiet about it, they will probably mess up. Not because they're stupid or can't fathom the importance, but because they cannot recognise questioning techniques. Hell, even grown-ups can't, that's the whole point!

Build a public persona that isn't too far from the truth so you don't have to put in so much effort. This is a long game, and consistency is key. You have no strong preferences for the next four years. You become Norman McNormalpants.

Do not discuss politics. Ever.

If you know someone who is part of a resistance group, no, you don't. You haven't heard from them in months. Even if you're part of that group, too.

Nothing ever is free. If an app or service says it is, no, they're not. They're going to sell your data, and they don't care who is buying. Morality will always lose to the right leverage.

You have no idea how much data they can get about you. They can and will use anything they can find, from locating you via the pictures you take with your phone and uploading them to a cloud to what you bought on which day via payback cards and your Alexa shopping list

You have no idea how much and which information they already have about you, and you have no idea how much references to others they can find in your data.

You have no idea how they will get information about you. Everyone and everything could be a spy. Yes, even your granny, definitely your phone and Alexa, and I wouldn't trust the fridge or the roomba either.

Bravery and stupidity look very much the same, so don't do anything stupid. Taking risks will get you in trouble sooner rather than later. You're no use to any resistance or your family and friends when you're incarcerated or shot down. Small acts of kindness and defiance go a long way, but always calculate the risks first.

I know this sounds really paranoid, and maybe it is, and although I definitely don't want to scare anyone, those next four years might get tough. It's good to know a few things, and keep them in mind, when shit hits the fan. Do whatever you have to do to keep your loved ones and yourselves safe. Being considerate and careful is no cowardice.

reminders for today:

if you or someone you know might need it in the next few years, purchase plan b. the shelf life of plan b is 4 years, and we might not be able to access it as easily as we can now in the days ahead.

if you are larger/plus size: go online and purchase ella instead of plan b. plan b is less effective if you aren’t under 160 pounds.

if you can, purchase books that project 2025 is looking to ban.

mass deportations are starting. if you see ice vehicles or agents, yell ice raid and la migra as loud as you can.

if someone asks who you voted for, keep your mouth shut. they’re fishing for traitors.

if anyone, anyone at all asks about your neighbors or their legal status in the us, you know nothing. don’t be the reason that their family is separated.

if anyone asks about your religion or lack thereof, keep it vague. this administration will look for any excuse to persecute you.

your friends are trans or queer? for the next four years they’re not. don’t expose anyone’s status as a trans or queer person to anyone else, even if you think you can trust them.

did someone you know get an abortion? no, they didn’t. they were never pregnant.

in short, don’t be a snitch, and keep to yourself these next four years. we’ll make it through this even if it seems hopeless at times.

this is all i can think of at the moment, but i’ll be adding on to this as the day continues.

we can survive this. we’ve survived before, and we’ll survive again.

[reality-detective]

USEFUL TIPS / LIFEHACKS 🤔

[victusinveritas]

[itisiives]

Apps You're Probably Going to Need

Too Good to Go: app that connects you to grocery stores and restaurants that will sell you surplus food at cheaper prices.

Signal: Messaging app that erases messages after an amount of time, and allows images to be viewable once.

Taimi: an ĻGBṬ dating app that doesn't allow screenshots of messages and profiles to be taken.

Bandcamp: a great website for music artists, podcasters, and audiobook creators. They pay artists more of the profits than Spotify, and have Fridays dedicated to giving artists all of the profits from sales.

Proton: app that offers privacy and encryption for emails, VPNs, and a lot more.

Community Garden: an app that helps make community garden development easier.

Vero: an Instagram alternative that doesn't use algorithms, data mining, or advertisements. An alternative to go to when Instagram worsens in the upcoming years.

Hygiene Locator: a database for low-income people to find distribution sites giving away hygiene products.

Triller: a TikTok alternative to go to if TT outright bans certain topics.

Little Free Library: an app that locates little free libraries for you.

Evidation: it's a "health app" in which you collect points for activities like walking, but you can just complete their weekly and daily surveys. Basically, it's a beer-monęy app because you can only get $10 for 10,000 points, but if you have time to kill and need to earn extra cash in the upcoming eçonomic crash, evidation is an option.

Farmish: an app to help you locate your local farmer's market.

Boycat: an app that helps customers determine which brand is participating in unethical human rights violations and which isn't . It has recently partnered with the BDS movement!

Bluesky: You've already heard of it, right? It's an alternative to Twịtter, except it gives you the option to mass block MÅGÅ, genocide supporters, and the like. (My profile is itisiives, if you want to hang.)

Food Co-op Finder: As the name says, you can use this app to find your nearby food/grocery co-ops. Since co-ops mostly sell locally grown and made foods, this would be helpful in the looming deregulation of food safety.

[4aceclover]

This also works for gardeners & survivors

(ask me how I know that)

Guide to Drying Herbs

Drying herbs is a simple practice, and there are several methods to choose from depending on the type of herb and your desire use. Here's how I dry my herbs:

1. Drying on Newspaper

This method works well for larger leaves and herbs that don’t need to be hung.

Lay the herbs flat on a clean sheet of newspaper in a single layer.

Place the newspaper in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

Turn the herbs occasionally to ensure even drying.

Once the herbs are dry and crisp to the touch, they’re ready for storage.

2. Hanging Herbs Upside Down

Perfect for longer herbs, like rosemary, lavender or thyme, that can be tied together.

Gather small bunches of herbs and secure them with a cord or string.

Wrap the herbs loosely in a breathable cloth, like cheesecloth or muslin. This helps them air freely while catching any small leaves or flowers that may shed during the drying process.

Hang the bunches upside down in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can degrade the color and potency.

Once the herbs are completely dry (they should crumble easily), remove the leaves or store them as they are.

I do this with fresh lavender that I put in my closet as shown in the picture.

3. Pressing Herbs

This method is ideal for preserving delicate leaves or flowers for decorative purposes or rituals.

Place the herbs between sheets of paper (such as parchment or regular printer paper).

Insert the paper into a thick book, ensuring the herbs are spread flat and evenly.

Place additional books or a weight on top to press them.

Leave them for 1–2 weeks, checking occasionally for dryness.

4. Drying Small Petals

For small, delicate petals or flowers, a rule bag works wonders.

Place the petals or flowers in a breathable rule bag (such as a mesh or cotton drawstring bag).

Hang the bag in a dry, ventilated area.

Shake the bag gently every few days to prevent clumping and to ensure even drying.

General Tips for Best Results

Use Breathable Cloths: Wrapping your herbs or laying them on a breathable cloth allows air to circulate freely, preventing mold while catching any small leaves or flowers that shed during the drying process.

Timing: Dry herbs as soon as possible after harvesting to retain their potency and fragrance.

Environment: Choose a dry, cool, and ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew.

Labeling: If drying multiple herbs, label them to avoid confusion.

Storage: Once dried, store your herbs in airtight containers away from sunlight and moisture.

Using Dried Herbs

Always check if the plant is safe for use before collecting it. Do not make tea or touch anything with unknown properties. Always clean your plants before drying.

Once your herbs are dried, you can use them for teas, rituals, incense, or other magical and practical purposes. Always remember to respect and honor the plants you've harvested by using them mindfully.

[ittybittykittyfingers]

Winter Clothing Tips

I wanted to make a friendly and detailed list of stuff I've learned from living in a cold climate.

(Note that I do not have vegan-friendly options- suggestions with links to a vegan product's efficacy are welcome)

This stuff is common knowledge where I live but it occurred to me that it might be useful to someone if I laid it all out. I'll be updating this list if I think of more.

I absolutely adore winter and want to help you love it too! Cheers! List below.

• “Cotton kills!" You see, when cotton gets wet, it will suck warmth from your body and freeze on your skin surprisingly easily. Use wool in place of cotton because when wool gets wet, it will still insulate you.

• Know how to layer! Counterintuitively, having layers of thinner, high-quality materials is less bulky than having a single jacket or pair of gloves/socks. Plus, it has the added bonus of being able to be taken off and switched around according to your needs.

1. Base layer - this is the layer that touches your skin. You want this layer to be light, flexible, and moderately form-fitting. This layer's job is to be moisture-wicking. Sweat evaporates, even under layers, so you want something that will move it away so you don't feel the cooling effect. You also just don't want moisture on your skin. Real silk is recommended.

2. Mid layer - this layer can actually be as many layers as you want. I rarely need anything more than a knit merino wool sweater, but accommodate yourself. This layer does the brunt of the work of keeping you warm. Real, non-blended wool is recommended, but really any wool will be miles better than most anything else.

• make it a priority to keep your center warm. Many people choose a vest as a mid-layer as it keeps bulk off of your arms and keeps your middle toasty.

3. Shell - this layer keeps the warmth in and the elements out. Many people go for waterproof shells so they can be worn all year (i.e. rain jacket). Shells have little to no insulation and usually have a hood. You want the shell big enough to always cover your underlayers, but not so big that it bunches up. I don't have a material to recommend here since anything truly waterproof and tough enough to resist puncture will do. It can actually get hot under there so consider whether you might want a ventilation hole for your arm pits. There are plenty of options. Know that any shell which says it's both breathable and waterproof is lying (unless it's a super fancy item, like $300 fancy). Sometimes, a water resistant material will be better for you than a waterproof one. It depends.

• socks, socks, socks! A pair of silk foot liners paired with a good pair of wool socks will keep you comfy all day. Make sure your winter shoes/boots are a bit too big to accommodate the extra space that multiple socks take up. Make sure your socks are taller than the top of your boots. You want the socks sticking out from the top. I like to layer my foot liners the highest, then the wool socks a bit lower, than the top of my boot lower than that. You can always fold the top of socks to make them a comfortable height. (Pro-tip: do not use ankle socks! They will bunch up)

• The above logic should be used for gloves too. You'll want to make sure your shell gloves are waterproof but thin enough that you are able to use your hands. Again, the name of the game is staying dry.

• Waterproof, non-slip boots are a must. You don't need to get fluffy or insulated boots if you use my sock tips. This saves money too because now you have boots to wear all year instead of just winter boots. I'm a fan of Gore-Tex with Vibram soles.

• If you do a lot of walking on pavement and such, get a pair of crampons! There are tons to choose from. They're awesome. They'll have you confidently walking around a frozen driveway with ease. Crampons are these rubber and metal things you strap to the bottom of your boot. They often use either spikes (only recommended for seriously rough terrain) or coils that lay horizontally under your foot to increase traction.

• Speaking of footwear accessories, consider getting waterproof gators. Common wisdom is to tuck pants into your waterproof boots to keep them dry. Sometimes, especially if the snow is deep enough, snow will get trapped at the top of your boots where your pants are tucked in anyway and it'll start dripping into your boots. Gators fix this issue. They're these... they're like shin guards that go all the way around your ankle and up to your knee. They cover the area where your pants meet the boots and will completely prevent snow from getting in. (Pro-tip: if you get ones that are also puncture resistant, they can be used in nice weather too to prevent ticks and protect against snake bites. They're perfect for tall grass. I use mine all year.)

• Scarves are often overlooked but they can make a huge difference. You'll want to find a way to tie them that is comfortable for you. There are plenty of guides on the internet for that. I've found that extra long scarves tend to be the most useful. I like to stuff the ends of them into my layers for extra coverage wherever I need it. Plus, it's easier to tie long scarves.

• Get a good hat that also has ear flaps. I like ones that have space above my head so that a warm air pocket forms, keeping my head comfy. Or you could get a pair of earmuffs that go around the back of your head to pair with your hat. You can use the hood of your shell to protect your hat if you need to, so focus on comfort and warmth for the hat rather than it being waterproof or especially durable. I tend to like alpaca wool for hats.

• Sunglasses can make a difference since blinding light glares off of the snow.

• Before you go out in the snow, put one of those foldable clothes drying racks in your bathtub. Leave a watertight bin by the door you'll be coming in from. Lay a towel at the door if you don't have a good/big enough doormat. You'll be dripping water and littering the floor with snow and ice when you come back inside. Wipe off/ shake off as much snow from your person and knock your boots on the lip of the doorframe before coming inside (this logic works for cars too). Put your wet clothes in the bin. Change into whatever you need to. Bring the bin with you to the bathroom and hang up your articles on the clothes rack to dry. You can keep your boots in there too, just make sure the clothes aren't going to drip into the boots. If you want to get fancy, you can buy a cheap boot dryer to keep in the bathroom.

• Once you get inside after being out in the cold, remove your jacket immediately. It'll take you longer to warm up inside if you keep wearing your outdoor clothes.

• Quick buying tip- if you end up visiting somewhere that's cold a lot, be sure to check out a wealthy location's Goodwill and thrift stores. I've found amazing brands like Patagonia, Kool, and Spider there for cheap!

• TL;DR If there's any one thing I would want to impress upon you, it's that materials matter. You could be wearing 4 cotton sweatshirts and still be cold or you could wear one marino wool sweater with a rain coat and be toasty and comfy.

[space-deer]

Space Deer - No. 13

Survival 101

[vampwhiner]

I'm putting together a list of things me and my family will need when shit hits the fan, if anyone has any ideas that would be very helpful. So far i have things like a grill (if i need to cook without power) solar powered generator, some maintenance and repairs that need to be done on our home, etc, if anyone has survival tips, please let me know.

[4aceclover]

Magic medicine survival you need it I got it I love posts like these

(but then again I like a lot of stuff)

Herbology × Magick🍃

Follow @foxwitchmoon on IG for more🌿🔮🌙🧿🕯🪻🗝✨️

[violent138]

advice for anyone stuck in the middle of the desert and does not have access to water (clarifying note: I'm not stuck in the middle of the desert)

Oooh I like this one more.

Stay out of the sun, exposure is a fucking nuisance and will sap of you of the will to live and water. So steal shelter from rocks, trees, broken down car with skeleton baking inside

Conserve water. No guzzling down the bottle, small sips only, and don't drink any weird puddles regardless of how tempting (that way only gross sickness and unwanted poisoning lies)

Find elevation to scan the surroundings and use the view to make peace or get excited about the world's worst hike

Weather tends to be a pendulum in deserts in my experience, so it'll be freezing at night :( deal with that

Stay with massive landmarks as it's easier to get found if you're really screwed and there's nothing visible (like a giant billboard pointing to a way out)

Don't sit down (hot ground)

Don't make friends with the desert bugs

Don't eat if you can avoid it, you'll be thirsty

The bases of rock cliffs and vegetation signal water so go to that. Also cactus juice yes.

[mumblingsage]

Another book review/recap from my recently finished pile: Laurence Gonzales's Deep Survival was one of my periodic reads on disaster and crisis survival (I think every writer should read these to learn more about human psychology under stress, and every human should probably read them as just-in-case preparation). It's not my favorite on the topic--I think Amanda Ripley's The Unthinkable was more organized and gripping--but there were some fascinating insights. Gonzales draws on research, reports (including official incident reports, which he recommends everyone read for their chosen sport or hobby so we know the dangers) and his firsthand interviews to cover a range of survivors, including two different young women who walked out of the wilderness after surviving plane crashes in exceedingly inappropriate clothing: one young woman got out of the Amazon after a few weeks in her confirmation gown, another got down the Sierra Nevada mountains wearing a short skirt, high boots, and no underwear (Gonzales is not seedy about this fact, just uses it to illustrate the point that she did not have supplies). Granted, whatever you're wearing isn't going to be in its most useful condition after you fell out of the sky, regardless.

Anyway, in the last chapter Gonzales does summarize his key tips for either staying out of trouble, or getting out of it once you're in it. In my spirit of "everyone should know this stuff to understand human psychology better and maybe draw on it in a disaster - or more routine shit," here's my summary of his summary -- much of the wording is Gonzales's, but I've condensed parts and added some glosses [generally in brackets]. Bolding for emphasis is mine:

Look, see, believe. Even in the initial crisis, survivors' perceptions and cognitive functions keep working. They notice the details and may even find some humorous or beautiful. If there is any denial, it is counterbalanced by a solid belief in the clear evidence of their senses. They immediately begin to recognize, acknowledge, and even accept the reality of their situation. They may initially blame forces outside themselves, too; but very quickly they dismiss that tactic. They see opportunity, even good, in their situation. They move through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance very rapidly. [Sage's note: notice how finding things funny or beautiful in life-threatening crisis is not considered denial, but the opposite--a form of engagement in the situation. Leading to the next point:]

Use humor, fear to focus. Survivors make use of fear, not being ruled by it. Their fear often feels like and turns into anger, and that motivates them and makes them sharper. They keep their sense of humor and therefore keep calm.

Get organized; set up small, manageable tasks and routines. In successful group survival situations, a leader emerges, often from the least likely candidate. Alone or in a group, survivors push away thoughts that their situation is hopeless. A rational voice emerges and is often actually heard, which takes control of the situation. Survivors perceive that experience as being split into two people and they "obey" the rational one. [Sage's note: Some survivors experience the rational voice as a completely outside entity. I'd read John Geiger's The Third Man Factor a few years ago, and being aware of the phenomenon, spotted it a few times in Gonzales's survivor accounts. Fascinating stuff!] It begins with the paradox of seeing reality--how hopeless it would seem to an outside observer--but acting with the expectation of success.

Take correct, decisive action (be bold and cautious while carrying out tasks). Survivors are willing to take risks to save themselves and others. They set attainable goals and develop short-term plans to reach them. They are meticulous about doing those tasks well. Thy deal with what is within their power from moment to moment, hour to hour, day to day.

Celebrate your success and take joy in completing tasks. That is an ongoing step in creating an ongoing feeling of motivation and relief and preventing the descent into hopelessness.

Count your blessings (be grateful-you're alive). This is how survivors become rescuers instead of victims. There is always someone they are helping more than themselves, even if that someone is not present [aside from helping fellow survivors, Gonzales speaks of the effort to survive for the sake of a loved one waiting back home, and also a fascinating case of a Third Man phenomenon where a survivor hallucinated a travel companion to look after].

Play (sing, play mind games, recite poetry, count anything, do math problems in your head). The more you have learned and experienced of art, music, poetry, literature, philosophy, mathematics, and so on, the more resources you will have to fall back on. Just as survivors use patterns and rhythm to move forward, they use the deeper activities of the intellect to stimulate, calm, and entertain the mind. Movement becomes a dance. One survivor who had to walk a long way counted his steps, one hundred at a time, and dedicated each hundred to another person he cared about. ... Survivors search for meaning, and the more you know already, the deeper the meaning. They engage the crisis almost as a game. Playing also leads to invention, and invention may lead to a new technique, strategy, or piece of equipment that could save you.

See the beauty. This appreciation not only relieves stress and creates strong motivation, but it allows you to take in new information more effectively.

Develop a deep conviction that you'll live. All the practices just describe lead to this point: survivors consolidate their personalities and fix their determination.

Surrender (let go of your fear of dying; "put away the pain.") Lauren Elder, who walked out of the Sierra Nevada after surviving a plane crash, wrote that she "stored away the information: My arm is broken." That sort of thinking is what John Leach calls "resignation without giving up."

Do whatever is necessary (be determined; have the will and the skill). When Lauren Elder's plane crashed above 12,000 feet, it would have seemed impossible to get off alive. She did it anyway, including down-climbing rock faces with a broken arm. Survivors don't expect or even hope to be rescued. They are coldly rational about using the world, obtaining what they need, doing what they have to do.

Never give up (let nothing break your spirit). There is always one more thing that you can do. Survivors are not discouraged by setbacks. They accept that the environment is constantly changing [Sage's note: earlier in the book, Gonzales references military strategist Carl von Clausewitz's* theory of "friction" and adds that the "friction rule," his own second rule of life, runs "Everything takes eight times as long as it's supposed to." As someone gets very demoralized when encountering friction, I felt this one.] They pick themselves up and start the entire process over again, breaking it down into manageable bits. Survivors have a clear reason for going on. They keep their spirits up. They come to embrace the world in which they find themselves and see opportunity in adversity. In the aftermath, survivors learn from and are grateful for the experiences they've had.

[*Readers of Bret Deveraux's blog, in unison: "Clausewitz! Drink!"]

[4aceclover]

I'm considering buying books like these

This is my favorite herbal medicine book, I have this book to thank for my love and interest in herbalism. I would always look at the photos as a kid and read about the plants. I highly recommend this book it’s filled with full color photos, plant history,medicinal info and it tells you how to make tinctures, salves, ointments ect. Overall it’s amazing

[alternian-survival-advice]

i dont know who needs to hear this but sometimes when someone stabs you its not cause theyre flirting with you they might actually just wanna kill you

[yearzerosurvival]

[reality-detective]

Survival tip👆