Although I’ve always been the type to keep a flashlight handy and an extra case of water in the garage, I wouldn’t have called myself a prepper. That changed about five years ago. My buddy Jim, and co-founder of OwnGuard Solutions, had been into preparedness for a while, and after one too many conversations about what we’d do “if something happened,” I finally thought, “maybe I should too.”

That’s how my first bugout bag started. It wasn’t planned out with military precision or carefully charted packing lists, it just kind of happened. I tossed in some first aid supplies: a tourniquet, some bandages, gauze. Then came the lights, glow sticks, a few tools, a knife or two, and a spare box of ammo. I even packed a change of clothes. Now I’m not sure if I’ve got a true bugout bag or just a very tactical junk drawer in a backpack. Either way, I’ve come to realize something: I’ve gone a little prepper. And if you’re reading this, you might have too.

Here are a few signs that you’ve gone prepper.

You’ve Had the “What If” Talk With Your Family

You’ve had more than one dinner where the topic shifts to “What would we do if…?” It might be a power outage, civil unrest, a natural disaster, or even zombies. (Okay, maybe not zombies.)

The important thing is that you’ve had the conversation. You’ve discussed where to meet, who to call, and what to do if phones go down. And even if your spouse rolls their eyes a bit, deep down they’re glad someone’s thinking ahead.

You Think in Multiples: One Is None, Two Is One

You’ve probably heard the saying, “One is none, two is one.” If you have, and you’ve found yourself nodding in agreement, you’re already showing signs. Preppers understand that things break, fail, or get lost, usually when you need them most. That’s why you buy two flashlights, not one. That’s why your emergency radio has a crank, solar panel, and batteries. Redundancy isn’t just smart, it’s second nature.

But this mindset creeps into everyday life too. You’ve got multiple can openers in the kitchen, duplicates of every charging cable, and probably a few extra rolls of duct tape in the garage. Just in case.

You Have More Flashlights Than People in Your House

And not just one per person. One per room, per car, per backpack, and a few stashed in toolboxes just in case. You’ve got flashlights that take AA, AAA, CR123, and rechargeable lithium batteries. Some are waterproof. Some are blindingly bright. One might even crank by hand or charge with a solar panel. And if anyone ever says, “Hey, do you have a light?”, you respond by asking, “What size beam do you need?”

Your Neighbors Borrow Tools; You Loan Out Radios

While others are handing out hammers and rakes, you’ve got a go-bag-friendly radio ready to lend. Maybe it’s a hand-crank AM/FM/NOAA unit with USB charging. Or maybe you’ve gone full ham, with a license and a call sign. You know the value of comms when the power goes out and cell towers go dark. And you’ve explained the difference between GMRS and FRS to at least one person at a barbecue.

Your Grocery List Includes Shelf-Stable Everything

Most people go to the grocery store and think about dinner for the next few days. You, on the other hand, think about shelf life. Canned goods, freeze-dried meals, powdered milk, and rice in 5-pound bags? Yes, please.

You don’t just buy food; you rotate it. You’ve got a system for using older items first and making sure nothing goes to waste. And you definitely know how long peanut butter lasts unopened.

Your pantry might look like a mini food bank, but to you, it’s peace of mind in a world that’s anything but predictable.

You’ve Named Your Chickens (or Wish You Had Chickens)

Even if you live in the suburbs, the thought of raising chickens, rabbits, or even just growing tomatoes in a planter box has crossed your mind. Maybe you’ve got rain barrels tucked behind the shed. Or you’ve mulled over composting, seed storage, or whether your HOA will notice a discreet greenhouse. Either way, you’ve taken steps toward self-reliance, and you’re not looking back. Are raising livestock and planting a garden, signs you’re a prepper?

You’ve Done a Power-Outage Drill, On Purpose

Most people scramble for candles and panic when the power goes out. You use it as a test run. You’ve flipped the main breaker before, just to see what works and what doesn’t.

You know how long your backup batteries last, which flashlights are the brightest, and how many hours of heat your propane buddy heater can give you. You might even have a written plan for your household. And if you don’t yet, you’ve thought about making one.

You Talk About Generators the Way Some People Talk About Cars

You’ve researched decibels, wattage, and run times. You’ve compared inverter versus standard, gas versus propane. Maybe you’ve invested in solar panels or a battery bank or even tested your setup during a recent storm. You don’t just want to keep the lights on, you want to power the fridge, recharge your radios, and still have enough juice for the coffee maker. This could be a real sign you’re a prepper.

“Situational Awareness” Is Your Love Language

You can’t sit with your back to the door at a restaurant. You clock exits without thinking. You carry every day, or at least have a plan if things go sideways. Your car kit includes more than jumper cables, and your friends call you the “prepared one” whenever the forecast looks dicey. You’re not looking for trouble, but you’re always quietly ready for it.

“Bug Out Bag” Isn’t Just a Buzzword to You

You’ve got one near the door, one in your vehicle, and maybe one for your dog. Inside is a careful mix of first aid gear, tools, multi-use items, and emergency rations. Yours may have MOLLE webbing, color-coded pouches, or a laminated checklist tucked inside the lid. You’ve packed it, repacked it, and maybe even taken it camping, just to test the setup. It’s not paranoia. It’s peace of mind in a backpack.

You’ve Named Your Bags

It’s not just a bugout bag, it’s “The Gray Ghost.” Your get-home bag has a name too, maybe “The Runner.” And don’t forget your EDC pouch, your vehicle kit, and your backup med bag.

Once you start naming your gear, it’s no longer just stuff, it’s part of your strategy. And yes, you probably have a checklist taped inside the lid.

You Read Weather Alerts Like They’re Sports Scores

Normal people check the forecast to see if they need an umbrella. You read NOAA bulletins like it’s breaking news. Tornado watch? You’re already clearing the hallway. Flash flood warning? Your bugout routes are reviewed.

You don’t just watch the weather, you anticipate it. And chances are, you have two or three weather apps and a hand-crank radio, just in case cell service goes out.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to live off-grid, dig a bunker, or hoard years of food to be a prepper. For many, it starts small, maybe with a flashlight in the drawer, a case of water in the garage, or a basic kit in the trunk.

Before long, you’re checking weather alerts like sports scores, running power-outage drills on purpose, and comparing flashlight beam patterns with your morning coffee. Could this be signs you’re a prepper?

Preparedness isn’t about fear or panic. It’s about peace of mind. It means knowing that if something unexpected happens, you’re not starting from zero. It’s also about being the person others count on when the power goes out or roads shut down.

So, if you saw yourself in more than a few of these signs, take it as confirmation, you’ve officially gone prepper. Welcome to the mindset. It’s about readiness, confidence, and maybe just a little duct tape.

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