The Prep Talk: Ready for Life’s Plot Twists
Prepping isn’t paranoia, it’s power. From moving abroad to bracing for the unexpected, here’s how preparation can reduce stress, boost confidence, and make life more fun. This is your prep talk 🎈
Lately, I’ve entered a phase in life where everything feels like it’s in motion, as if the plot is thickening with a series of plans and preparations: I’m planning to start a business, preparing to start a family, and getting (mentally) ready to move to Spain. And with current world events, I can’t shake the feeling that I should also be prepping for something bigger.
While looking ahead is necessary and innately human, it raises an important question: How do you stay present while preparing for the future? I recently realized that preparation can be both empowering and overwhelming. In this article, I’ll discuss my findings on why we prep, the benefits of prepping, and enjoying the moment. Hopefully, after reading, you’ll be as excited as I am about preparing. Not just as a way to create a sense of control and anticipation, but also to reduce stress. 💆🏻♀️
Why We Prep
Preparation is a fundamental aspect of human behavior, influenced by various psychological factors beyond personal experiences. Like me getting stranded twice during different trips (shame on me). This led me to purchase tools and extra road-side insurance, which I hope I’ll never need. Other factors include:
Loss aversion1, which describes how we fear negative outcomes more than we value potential gains (Remember this concept from Dan Ariely?). This explains why people take proactive steps to prevent negative outcomes, like getting stranded by the side of the road, or investing in a pension plan for a rainy day.
Risk perception also influences our readiness to prepare. For example, when NATO Chief Rutte stated, “We are not at war, but we are not at peace either” I found myself packing an emergency bag. My perception of risk had increased, making preparation feel necessary.
Cultural norms and expectations like getting married, raising a family, or having a well-paid job can (often subconsciously) encourage or discourage preparation.
Why have I emphasized prepping so much instead of planning? Because there’s a difference.
Planning is about setting a clear roadmap; defining specific steps, timelines, and resources to reach a goal. Prepping, on the other hand, is about getting ready for possibilities without locking into a fixed path.
My partner and I are preparing to move to Spain by learning the language, investigating the housing market, and learning how to garden. But we’re not planning to book flights yet.
Prepping keeps the momentum going while allowing you to remain adaptable when your final plan isn’t yet defined or locked in
The Benefits of Prepping
Preparation offers more than just practical readiness (for when the time comes to move to Spain). It can shift your mindset and improve emotional resilience. Here’s what I’ve experienced so far:
Enjoying the journey: In Dutch, we call this “voorpret”. The joy of anticipation. I’m looking forward to speaking Spanish fluently (wishful thinking), which makes my classes more enjoyable in the moment.
Making the unpleasant, pleasant: Working toward a long-term goal makes the process itself more rewarding. This ‘hack‘ can turn something tedious—like saving money—into a meaningful act of preparing for a future dream, like buying that house in Spain.
Shaken less by surprises: The unexpected feels more manageable when you’ve mentally and physically prepared. And if you’ve discussed your goal with friends and family, they can support you when things go sideways.
Active coping: Prepping helps me manage stress, worry, and the feeling of being stuck. This may explain the appeal of doomsday prepping. When the world feels unpredictable, taking action (like buying canned beans rather than spiraling into worry) provides a sense of control. 🫘
As I mentioned, voorpret not only builds anticipation but also enhances your joy of the present moment. If you don’t believe me, maybe my favorite behavioral economist Dan Ariely can convince you.
On Enjoying The Moment
Ariely’s research shows that looking forward to something—whether a trip, a move, or a business launch—can enhance happiness. Check the snippet below from his column to get his thoughts on the matter.
Dear Dan,
I was planning a surprise beach weekend for my boyfriend, but a friend accidentally said something and ruined the surprise. I’m disappointed, and my friend feels terrible. What can we do to prevent this mistake from casting a dark shadow on the trip?
—Leslie
Dan’s response: Consider your friend’s error a gift in disguise. Now that your boyfriend knows, he’ll be able to look forward to the trip. The anticipation is a bonus source of happiness! Studies have shown that when people think back on life experiences, the anticipation can be more positive than the experience itself.
Even more, you can heighten the anticipation by doing things like counting down the days to the trip or looking at the menu from a fancy seafood place where you just got a reservation. Surprises are great, but short-lived.
As Dan mentions, the trick is to enjoy the process of preparation rather than being solely focused on the outcome. You can do this by infusing small joys into your prep. Like counting down the days to a beach trip, or keeping a tally of Spanish classes.
This approach also allows you to celebrate small milestones along the way, preventing you from deferring joy until you finally reach your big goal.
I don’t have all the answers yet, but one thing is clear: prepping isn’t just about survival. It’s about setting yourself up for the best possible outcome, no matter what life throws your way.
Where in your life could prepping add value? Whether it’s learning a skill, building a financial buffer, or simply having a backup plan for your business, preparation can make the future feel less daunting while making the present more enjoyable.
Now, I'd love to hear from you. What big goal are you prepping for? Or…
What challenges have you been able to face because you were prepared?
Loss aversion is derived from prospect theory by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky
A weirdly timely post…the journey IS the destination👏🏻