Bugging out - are you mentally prepared

[DarkLight]

A post in another thread got me thinking about this due to a word that was used (to great effect and appropriately I might add).



If you have to bug out but the bug out isn't an INCH (I'm Never Coming Home) are you mentally prepared for what you might find when you return?

The term used was 'violated' and it really struck a chord for some reason. If you bug out, the chances are that you won't be locking the doors and setting the alarm and coming back in two weeks while the neighbors get your mail for you. Things will have come unhinged and once people see you leave then all bets are off as far as your 'personal property' goes.

Even in a short term messy fan situation where you feel you need to leave because the situation isn't safe anymore, you could come home to a dwelling that bears no resemblance to the building you left. It makes the thought of a burglary or breakin pale on comparison.

So, realistically, are you mentally prepared to bug out if it means you could come back to nothing?

[Echo2]

Yup....made my peace with it....

[DarkLight]

Echo - I know YOU have...your comment is the one that started this thread!

[Echo2]

Kinda figured that....

[bacpacker]

Damn ! The questions keep gettin harder don't they? You can pretty much figure that your place will be violated. Anything of short term use will be gone, maybe 50/50 on the other stuff at best. The house will be trashed or worse.

It would take a lot for me to have to leave here, but once that decision is made, things have gotten bad. I would just have to deal with whatever if I did come back. The thing that would bother me, would be seeing any of my stuff at someone's place around here. Did that item contribute to keeping some one alive? Was it something that really had no use at during the situation, but would be a nice score after things settled down some?

Bottom line though, if you gotta leave, you gotta go. Then just deal with it when you come back.

[cwconnertx]

I love my stuff, but if it has gotten bad enough I have to leave, its more valuable to abandon than to stay.

Fortunately the most valuable things are small and can go with me, the irreplaceable as well. The stuff I really value, other than a few sentimental things like the rifle my dad gave me, comes with me, or stays in the safe, or gets buried... uh somewhere.

My tools will go in the truck. My firearms in the truck. Most of the expensive things I own are prep related, body armor, nightvision, firearms, gold and silver they travel. Most of the rest can be replaced with no real hardship and are insured (if insurance is still functioning) and if insurance isn't functioning, I don't care about replacing my business suits, office equipment, or filing cabinets.

[LUNCHBOX]

I feel that if I left it and someone else can make use of it then help yourself.....but you can bet the farm that me and mine will be helping ourselves along the way as well. It only makes sense to expect to come back to nothing if you leave, you left because along those same lines you expected there was nothing to keep you there anymore.

Besides, if you have your family and friends safe with you then what more could you need?????

[Echo2]

Just as a bit of a reminder....I keep a thumb drive with photo albums on them....in my kit. It's got a bunch of other crap on there too....but most of it wont mean much in an endgame event....still would like my pics though.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Yes, I'm prepared! I've been divorced so I know what it means when life as I know it ends. I just keep in mind that it's just stuff, and it's all God's stuff! I'm just his temporary steward over it.

[helomech]

I will not be bugging out, unless it is a short term situation. If a forest fire comes I will bug out, but in a long term situtation where things are bad everywhere I don't see any purpose on leaving. I will do better where I am, and will fight till my death to maintain it. And in a short term situtation my insurance will replace my belongings when I come back. Bottom line, I am staying unless the shtf is an isolated incident, and if it is isolated I am not worried about my stuff, because it will be replaced.