Trying Not To Die Since 2025
Random thoughts, survival notes, and things I probably shouldn’t be writing
When I first watched The Revenant, I expected a gritty revenge story. What I didn’t expect was a crash course in raw, brutal survival. Freezing rivers, wild animals, no shelter, and a body barely holding together—yet he lived. It’s a movie, sure. But it’s also a blueprint of what the human body—and mind—can do when … Read more
It was a cold, wet morning in the Smoky Mountains. I had matches, a lighter, and plenty of wood—but everything was soaked. It took me over an hour, numb fingers, and a whole roll of toilet paper to get a flame going. That was the day I learned: starting a fire in the rain is … Read more
Last year, a friend of mine opened her emergency kit during a winter storm and found expired batteries, stale granola bars, and a flashlight that wouldn’t turn on. That kit had been sitting untouched for over two years. We all know we’re supposed to “have a kit,” but the truth is: having one isn’t enough. … Read more
It wasn’t a hurricane. It wasn’t a blizzard. It was just a broken transformer. But for 3 full days, our neighborhood was off the grid—and suddenly, everything I took for granted stopped. No lights. No fridge. No microwave. No phone charging. By the second night, the food was going bad, tempers were short, and I … Read more
Last year, a close friend of mine had to evacuate her home due to wildfires in California. She only had ten minutes to grab what she could. No idea where the insurance papers were. Couldn’t remember her son’s allergy records. Chaos. That night, she told me something I’ll never forget: “I thought I was ready. … Read more