Your First Tool Kit: A Beginner's Guide to DIY Survival with a Dash of Fun

By Cade Shadowlight Back when I lived in apartments, I was shocked to discover how many neighbors owned zero tools. I quickly became the go-to "tool guy," fielding constant requests to borrow a hammer or screwdriver. If you’re new to the world of self-reliance and don’t know a wrench from a widget, this article is for you. Here’s a lighthearted guide to building a basic starter tool kit that every DIY newbie should own, because you can’t always borrow from the neighbor! 1. Claw Hammer: Your Trusty Sidekick 
Start with a claw hammer, the Swiss Army knife of tools. It’s perfect for driving nails into wood or drywall (think picture hanging) and prying them out with the curved, claw-like end. Bonus: it’s great for stress-relieving demolition (off-label use, of course!). For beginners, a 7 oz. hammer is ideal for light tasks. As your skills grow, you can add heavier or specialty hammers for bigger projects. All sizes and styles of hammers are availble on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nXcaYV. We are an affliate, so purchasing tools or other items through our links help support this website, so thank you in advance!  2. Screwdrivers: The Twist Masters 
Screwdrivers are non-negotiable. For your starter kit, grab four: two Phillips-head (the cross-shaped ones) in sizes #1 and #2, and two flat-head (straight-edge) in 3/16" and 1/4". Stick with 6-inch lengths to start. Pro tip: interchangeable-bit screwdrivers save space and are perfect for tight budgets. Over time, you’ll want to expand with different sizes and styles for more complex tasks. 3. Pliers: Grip It and Rip It 
Add a pair of 6-inch needle-nose pliers and 6-inch standard pliers to your kit. These are your go-to for gripping, twisting, bending, and holding stuff. Needle-nose pliers often double as wire cutters/strippers, which is handy for basic electrical fixes. You’ll eventually want more sizes, but these will get you started on your DIY journey. 4. Adjustable Wrench: The Flexible Friend 
An adjustable wrench is a must for turning bolts and nuts of various sizes. Start with a 6-inch wrench with a 3/4-inch opening. It’s versatile enough for most beginner tasks. Bigger wrenches can get pricey, so save those for when you’re ready to level up. 5. Tape Measure: Measure Twice, Curse Once 
A retractable tape measure prevents costly mistakes (and colorful language). A 10- or 12-foot tape is perfect for beginners—long enough for most household tasks but not unwieldy. You’ll thank yourself when your shelves don’t end up looking like a funhouse mirror. 6. Bubble Level: Keep It Straight 
A bubble (or spirit) level ensures your picture frames and furniture aren’t leaning like the Tower of Pisa. Sure, you could use a marble, but a level is way less frustrating. Get a small one for your starter kit. 7. Allen Wrench Set: The Furniture Whisperer 
Those L-shaped, hexagonal Allen wrenches (aka hex keys) are lifesavers for assembling flat-pack furniture or tweaking bike parts. Get a set with both SAE and metric sizes to cover all bases. They’re cheap and indispensable. 8. Utility Knife: Slice and Dice 
A sturdy utility knife (or box cutter) is perfect for cutting drywall, opening packages, or trimming materials. Pair it with a sturdy pair of scissors for maximum versatility. Trust me, you’ll use these more than you think. 9. Precision Screwdrivers: Tiny but Mighty 
For delicate tasks like fixing eyeglasses, watches, or electronics, a set of precision screwdrivers is a game-changer. Start with a basic set including both Phillips and flat-head tips. 10. Storage: Keep It Together 
Your tools are useless if you can’t find them. Invest in a simple tool bag, box, or case to keep everything organized. Bonus points for one with a good handle for easy carrying. Bonus Tips: Hardware and Safety 
Stock up on basic hardware like nails, screws, bolts, nuts, and picture-hanging wire. Big-box stores and Amazon sell affordable kits. Get a good assortment. Andduct tape? Non-negotiable. Don’t skimp on safety! Grab protective eyewear, gloves, a fire extinguisher, and an excellent first aid kit. Use my Refuge Medical affliate link (click here) for an extra discount at checkout.  If you’re looking for a pre-made tool kit option, the Amazon Basics 65 Piece Home Tool Kit (Amazon link) is a solid, affordable start. It includes most of the essentials listed here, plus extras like additional drivers and a small socket set. Just add an adjustable wrench to complete the set. Remember: Tools make awesome holiday gifts for the budding DIYer in your life!  

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Building Mental Health for a New Generation of Survivalists

By Cade Shadowlight 

❗Don't miss the “Getting Help” section near the bottom of the article.

In today’s world, mental health is under siege like never before. Rapid cultural and demographic shifts, extreme ideologies, social media isolation, and disruptive technologies such as AI, have fueled a mental health crisis that touches nearly everyone. As someone diagnosed with Asperger’s in the early 2000s, I’ve spent decades managing my own mental health in a world that often feels overwhelming.  

For preppers and survivalists, mental health isn’t just a personal concern, it’s a cornerstone of preparedness. In a crisis, the ability to stay calm, think clearly, and adapt quickly is as critical as any stockpile of supplies. Yet, how do we fortify our minds against the unique pressures of modern life and the potential chaos of a post-collapse scenario?

Prepping Your Mental Health

As someone with Asperger’s, I’ve learned that mental strength isn’t just about willpower. It’s about intentional habits, healthy relationships, and the skills that prepare you for both everyday stress and catastrophic crises. Here are practical steps to fortify your mind for the challenges of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow.

1.   Cultivate a Healthy Spirituality 

A healthy spirituality can anchor you in turbulent times. Spiritual practices can counter the disorientation of modern life. Practices like prayer, meditation, or reading sacred texts can foster calm, purpose, and perspective. For me, my faith provides clarity, strength, and a sense of purpose, especially under stress. It also informs my priorities and my ethical decision-making. In a crisis, a solid spiritual foundation can keep you from spiraling into despair or freezing in uncertainty.

2.  Strengthen Your Closest Relationship

Reconnect with your spouse. If you’re single, like me, seek out a partner who shares your values. No other Earthly relationship will be as important, or have more potential for greatness. Your spouse should be your best friend and confidant, your helpmate, shoulder to cry on, and the one person who will always care about you. If you’re married, don’t take them for granted; nurture that connection daily. Remember, marriage is a two-way street. Be there for your spouse. 

 

To those of us who are still single: don’t let fear or past disappointments stop you from seeking a meaningful relationship. Honestly, this is the one area of my life where I have fallen short. I am not married and never have been. When I was in my 20s, I thought staying single was so smart. Now that I am older, I realize how stupid I was in my 20s.         

3.  Build a Resilient Community/Tribe.

Strong relationships with family, friends, and neighbors create a network of mutual support, critical in both daily life and emergencies. Engage with people in your community. Learn the names of your neighbors. Volunteer.  Join local groups, civic organizations, churches, community centers, or attend survivalist meetups.  My grandparents’ generation survived the Great Depression through self-reliance and community, helping each other (community/tribe) while still standing strong alone (rugged individualism). 

 

In today’s fragmented world, where online echo chambers can isolate us, real-world connections are more vital than ever. Don't overly-depend on online relationships, as social media can create shallow connections that undermine real intimacy.       

4.  Set Boundaries with Toxic Influences

Toxic people—those who are in a constant state of chaos, drain others of their energy, and refuse to change or even acknowledge that they need to—can sabotage your mental health. This might be a relative, an old friend, or even online contacts who amplify negativity. I’ve had to learn to recognize when relationships harm more than help. Protect your peace by setting boundaries or, if necessary, even cutting ties. It is not your responsibility to fix broken people. Offer help where it’s welcomed, but don’t get pulled into endless drama. It is about balance.

 

It is especially important in this digital age to avoid digital toxicity by unfollowing inflammatory or depressing social media accounts, and avoiding overly-negative doomer content. Don't engage with online harassers. Social media apps have built-in functions to mute or even block toxic accounts. Use them.   

5.  Break Free from Addictions Now

Addictions in all forms, whether substance abuse, gambling, or even social media and screen time, can cripple you in a crisis, especially when you can't get your fix. Modern life makes this harder, with algorithms designed to keep you scrolling and dopamine hits replacing real satisfaction. If you’re struggling, seek help before a collapse makes help scarce. Quitting now builds resilience and ensures you’re not battling withdrawal when clarity is critical. 

6.  Embrace Joy and Balance 

Survivalism can feel heavy, but don’t let it consume you. Find moments to laugh, relax, and savor life. Practice gratitude daily. This isn't some "new age" advice, as it literally rewires your brain over time to focus on hope. As a “hopeful realist,” acknowledge the world’s challenges, as well as your own, but act on solutions. 

 

Small, positive steps like organizing your supplies or learning a new skill, build confidence and counter anxiety. Constant exposure to bad news such as doomscrolling clickbait headlines can erode hope and lead to anxiety and depression. Avoid despair by unfollowing YouTube and social media accounts that engage in fear-mongoring. 
        
7.  Pick Up Non-Prepper Hobbies

Hobbies unrelated to survivalism offer a mental escape and build resilience. Examples could include painting, music, knitting, woodworking, writing your novel, or even hunting for Bigfoot. The possibilities are limitless, and they remind you there’s more to life than preparing for the worst. Keeping at least one or two hobbies offline will also help avoid too much screentime. Many hobbies can be shared, helping build friendships and overcome the isolation of social media.  
        
8.  Reconnect with Nature

Nature is a powerful antidote to modern stress. Spend time outdoors—camp, hike, fish, garden, or simply sit under a tree enjoying the birds singing. Learn about your local ecosystem: its plants, animals, and water sources. Outdoor skills are practical for survival but also soothe the mind. Resources like the  Backyard Wildlife Habitat program (website link) can guide you. In an age of AI and social media, nature reconnects us to the tangible.     

9.  Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is non-negotiable. 7+ hours nightly for adults. More for children. Chronic sleep deprivation, common in our 24/7 digital world, wreaks havoc on mental and physical health. Constant connectivity has lead to a sleep crisis. Create a sleep routine, avoid screens before bed, and treat sleep as a survival skill. A well-rested mind is your greatest asset in a crisis.
 

10.  Become a Lifelong Learner

Learning new skills builds confidence and mental agility, and rewires your brain by strengthening neural connections. Study practical skills such as coding, first aid, food preservation, or foraging. These will serve you in both daily life and in emergencies. Learning a musical instrument or a new language is also a killer mental workout. Knowledge replaces fear with capability.

A Bonus Thought

“For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” — Proverbs 23:7 

Your mindset shapes your reality. In a world bombarding us with negativity through social media algorithms or apocalyptic headlines, choose thoughts that empower you. Focus on capability, not fear. This isn’t blind optimism but a deliberate choice to build a resilient, hopeful mindset for whatever lies ahead.

Where to Get Help

Mental health challenges don’t make you weak; they make you human. Seek help early to stay strong. 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988  (website: 988lifeline.org).

• Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1  (website: veteranscrisisline.net).

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741  (website: crisistextline.org).

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: adaa.org for resources and support groups.

• For Substance Abuse: SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)  (website: samhsa.gov).

• Digital Mental Health Tools: 1) Apps like BetterHelp or Talkspace for virtual therapy (available on App stores). 2) Digital Detox (website: digitaldetox.com) and apps like Freedom for managing screen time.

• Addiction Support: Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.org), Narcotics Anonymous (na.org), or Smokefree.gov for tobacco addiction.

• Local Resources: 1) Your local health department likely provides mental health resources, including free or low-cost clinics, crisis hotlines, and referrals to local therapists. Call or visit their website for more info.  2) Local clergy (pastors, priests, rabbis) will often be able to refer you to programs, support groups, and counselors in your area that can help.  3) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has many local chapters that offer support groups, education programs, and helplines. Visit nami.org to find local branches.

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Be a Rebel! Spread Constitutional Literacy.

By Cade Shadowlight

Here is a powerful idea in today's world: Spread Constitutional Literacy by giving away pocket copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It's an idea that I've been promoting (and doing) for many years. 

Pocket Constitutions can be ordered from some political or educational organizations or purchased on Amazon. The one pictured here is the one I have given away in the past and is currently $1.50 (Amazon link).  I am an Amazon Affiliate, so ordering them through my links to Amazon will help to support this site in a small way at no extra cost to you. 

Pocket Constitutions  make great giveaways for:

• Back-to-School 
• History and Social Studies Classes
• Halloween Trick-or-Treat
• Spring and Fall Festivals
• July 4th Celebrations and Events
• Campaign Events and Political Rallies
• Business Events and Promotions
• Homeschoolers
• Scout Troops
• Churches and Sunday School Classes
• Bible Study and Prayer Groups
• Clubs and Civic Organizations
• "Little Free Libraries" (those boxes in many neighborhoods)

Start spreading constitutional literacy today! Order your pocket Constitutions and share them at your next event or as this years' Trick or Treat giveaway! (Amazon link)

 

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The Slow Fall: Rethinking Survival in a Dystopian Future

By Cade Shadowlight

In survivalist fiction and prepper communities, the concept of a "Trigger Event" looms large—a single, catastrophic incident that sparks a cascade of crises, plunging modern civilization into chaos. From economic meltdowns to pandemics, these scenarios dominate survivalist novels and discussion boards. 

 

A dramatic event triggers riots, looting, and societal collapse, followed by a period of anarchy. Yet, within only a few months or years, the "good guys" (that would be us) triumph thanks to our foresight, skills and resources. Order is restored, rights preserved, and a hopeful new world begins.

 

Take Mark Godwin’s Economic Collapse Chronicles (Amazon link), where the government’s inability to fund EBT cards triggers widespread unrest and eventual civil war. In his Cyber Armageddon series (Amazon link), a devastating cyberattack on the banking system sets off a similar chain reaction.

 

These type of narratives, while gripping, share a common thread: a single, identifiable event causes a swift collapse, followed by a relatively quick resolution. But history tells a different story. Civilizations don’t collapse overnight due to one catastrophic event.

Consider the Roman Empire, often cited as the gold standard of societal decline. Historian N.S. Gill notes, “The phrase ‘the Fall of Rome’ suggests some cataclysmic event ended the Roman Empire… But there was no barbarian horde, no single moment of collapse.”

Instead, the empire eroded over centuries, worn down by internal corruption, economic instability, external invasions, and cultural shifts. Generations lived through this slow decline, experiencing multiple crises, none of which delivered a fatal blow on its own.

Historians still debate when the Roman Empire truly “fell,” with estimates spanning centuries. This slow-burn reality challenges the survivalist fantasy. The appeal of a single, dramatic cause is undeniabl. It is simple, satisfying, and promises a quick resolution, like ripping off a bandage. In survivalist fiction, the pain is intense but temporary, culminating in a new dawn.

Yet, history suggests a grimmer prospect: a prolonged, multi-generational dystopia where challenges compound over decades, not months. No one wants to imagine a lifetime, or several, of hardship, fear, and dehumanization without immediate hope of relief. But if we’re to learn from history, this is the scenario we must prepare for.

The implications for preppers are profound. The Trigger Event mindset encourages short-term survival strategies, such as stockpiling a year's food, while awaiting a swift societal collapse and reset. But a slow collapse demands a different approach: resilience across generations.

This means building resilient families, sustainable communities, and self-reliance skills; fostering adaptability to endure current and future chaos; and instilling values and skills in our children and grandchildren to navigate a world in decline.

Our hope lies not in a quick victory over chaos but in our ability to adapt, endure, and thrive through a prolonged dystopia. By letting go of the Trigger Event myth, we can focus on what history teaches: survival is about perseverance, preparation, and passing on the tools—physical, mental, and cultural—to weather the long storm ahead.

Join the Discussion: How are you preparing for a slow collapse? Share your strategies in the comments below. Let’s build a community ready for the long haul. 

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