impatience

[redskies]

I feel the sense of urgency, Short Circuit, but you can't rush some things, and growing food is on that list! There's still things we need to buy, but those must be accounted for within a tight budget (like yours!), so it's slow and steady all the way.

Cocotte, I couldn't agree more. I prefer to do things for myself, and to learn how to do the things I don't know yet. People look at the things I make and claim they couldn't do what I do, but I know that if they wanted to learn, then they could, easily. All learning is useful, whether the actual skills are or not, because the process of learning helps us to learn better the next time there's something new.

[nickdutch]

1) Obsession and excitement is a gift from nature that helps us to learn new things including new ways of thinking. That is why "new everythings" or "evereyones" want to do everything at once. It stimulates the learning process.

2) Thanks to the media (mainstream and alternative) explaining the danger of the economy, environment and the like, there is a growing feeling that "something" might happen at any time that could affect the economy big time soon. Thus people want to rush.

Its natural.

[redskies]

There's also, for me, the sheer joy in learning a new skill that makes me want to practise it. It's a wonderful thing to see in others too. I've taught a few lunchtime classes at middle childs school, and that moment of realisation, when the kids realise that they can do something they thought they couldn't, is fabulous to see.

[Thunder]

Is it just me or do all new preppers want to do everything at once?

I guess I'm one of those new preppers you're talking about and yes it would be fair to say I want to do everything at once.

Reason being there is a lot of very basic prepping that needs sorting asap - first aid, water storage, food prep, basic items & tools, books.

I did possibly get a bit carried away initially, but I can happily report that I now consider myself prepped to a basic level - there's still a lot to do & think about, but the basics are in place & I can now continue at a more leisurely pace.

As redskies correctly observed, it is indeed enthusiasm which should be encouraged with positive advice, rather than criticized.

[short circuit]

indeed red food growing is a fine art to get rite with blite slugs ect...I like makeing things too my outside shed baby aga sadly had to go this week the old girl just dropped to bits trying to get the old fire bricks out so now am trying to make something a lot lighter and smaller out of a stanless steel flask "as rocket burner" and a stainless steel box "as oven" with a electronic charge system built in.

[Homesteader]

Thank goodness for that - thought it was just me! I feel like I'm running round like a headless chicken with little purposeful direction and have to force myself to sit down and do some planning! At least I know I'm not being too daft then

[old git]

An interesting subject indeed. I only started in January but though the house is better stocked now than it has ever been, mostly through hunting own brands and bargains and not by throwing huge amounts of cash around as i am on a very limited budget, I am struggling to relax. On one hand a few tins each week will help build up stocks but on the other hand something may happen next week and I am too late. I'm sure there is a balance to be found somewhere.

[redskies]

I don't know about balance being the thing to bring you peace. It is, of course, important; indeed, from my personal PoV, essential.

However, I think peace will come from accepting that you are doing all that you can with what you have and the rest is in the lap of the gods. It's that simple.

[Moony]

I agree with the above sentiments, you have to accept that you'll probably never be entirely happy with preps (well for me anyway), but you are in a better situation than the mass of sheeple. I too started off spending alot every week on new bits and pieces (gear + food + fuel, etc) but I've come to accept that just a little bit extra (a tin or two per week, maybe 1 gadget from my wish list every month or two) still puts me in a better position than I was before I started.

[pseudonym]

An interesting subject indeed. I only started in January but though the house is better stocked now than it has ever been, mostly through hunting own brands and bargains and not by throwing huge amounts of cash around as i am on a very limited budget, I am struggling to relax. On one hand a few tins each week will help build up stocks but on the other hand something may happen next week and I am too late. I'm sure there is a balance to be found somewhere.

Just remember where you were yesterday, the day before, last week, and look at how far you have come already. You should have a feeling of well being knowing that your preps will see you through longer than your empty cupboards would of early January.

Well done you.