When storms or other crises strike, preparation isn’t just about batteries, food, or tarps. Your mindset and ability to stay connected with others can make just as much difference. Building resilience before a crisis and leaning on community during one can help ease the pressure when things feel uncertain.
Preparing Your Mindset
It’s natural to feel anxious when storms roll in or the power goes out. The key is to recognise that feeling and pair it with a plan. A calm, practical approach reduces panic and helps you make better decisions. Taking time now to imagine what a storm night might look like – candles lit, meals ready, a few quiet games with family – can turn the idea of “surviving” into simply “riding it out.” Having a routine in mind helps you feel in control, even when the weather isn’t.
Finding Positivity in Small Things
During a blackout, the small positives become big ones. Shared meals, neighbours checking in, or hearing children laugh in the dark all reinforce that we’re not powerless. Even when challenges arise – like damage to trees or uncertainty about when services will return – looking for what is still working (a warm blanket, a functioning radio, or the company of others) shifts perspective. Positivity isn’t pretending everything is fine; it’s choosing to focus on what will carry you through.
Staying Connected
Connection is critical in a crisis. Simple actions like checking on neighbours, especially the elderly or isolated, build a stronger safety net. On Tamborine Mountain, our local SMS community service is designed to keep everyone in touch during emergencies, but word of mouth is just as powerful. Keep a paper list of important contacts and let people know you’re safe. Communication reassures loved ones and prevents unnecessary worry.
Community Resilience
The stronger the community, the stronger the individual. Preparing mentally for a crisis includes knowing you are part of something bigger. When neighbours share resources, offer a generator lead, or invite someone in for dinner, they create a collective resilience that outshines any storm.
Staying positive doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties. It means preparing your mind, keeping perspective, and remembering that connection – with family, friends, and neighbours – is the greatest asset any of us have when storms come through.
