I remember finding this sub in 2019 and the emotional toll that become collapse aware brings. Every article was new and terrifying. Some of you fine people were so jaded, but accepted what was to come. As I worked the stages of grief, I began to understand that collapse was coming whether I accepted it or not. So, I eventually accepted it and became jaded, too.
I survived COVID, largely because you folks told me it was coming. I started my journey of becoming as self-sufficient as possible not because I am naive enough to think I can outrun collapse, but because it gave me the illusion of control and logically, doing something is infinitely better than doing nothing. I bought a small piece of land in the Great Lakes regions after moving away from the Southwest. I started working on mental and physical fitness. I have learned to garden, gotten out of debt, remained childfree, job hopped to a living wage, stockpiled some food, learned how to use firearms, and have amassed a library of books containing future skill I may need. As a poor, I have put myself in the best position I can given the circumstances. I am not delusional enough to think I will retire like my father, have a barn full of cars, and travel at will. My late years, should I make it that long, will be toiling away on my soil trying to survive and defending my home from the other poors. It took years, but I accept this likely fate.
The past week has given me the same feeling of a gut punch that becoming collapse aware did. I feel numb and want to give up, but that's a horrible plan. I have not loved this country for many years since we have been sold out by the rich and powerful. I have not believed in a good future for decades. But I did think we would see a slow decline in our daily lives and just maybe, it would be bearable for someone approaching 50. Perhaps I would be taking my dirt nap before shit got real.
And then this week happened. We went from a coin flips chance of having a dictator in 6 months to a betting favorite. Today, it is very likely that Project 2025 is going to be a reality. Yes Men have been planted at every position so that good actors will not be able to stop a coup this time. The Supreme Court has taken the mask off and told us what is coming. Most of us here will be voting against that, but it will be futile, and we will suffer right along with the Muppets that think they are going to be living the good life once Fuhrer Trump takes over. American life as we know it, for all its flaws will be gone, faster than expected.
So, we certainly would agree that collectively we will do nothing. Climate change speak will be outlawed. Protests will be smacked down. Venting on Reddit will get you put on a list. A year from now, we will not recognize this land and freedom of speech will be highly subjective.
Individually, for those of you that have tried to prepare for collapse, what is your next move? Are you mourning the US today? For the last 5 years, I have had a plan. I do not have a plan for this. Has anyone else lived through a "democracy" turning into a dictatorship this rapidly? What was that experience like?