The 7 Key Areas of Preparation: A Warrior’s Guide to Activism and Resilience
Many martial artists begin training for self-defense, only to realize that true preparedness is a lifestyle that extends far beyond physical skills. They may also come to find that survival isn’t just about the individual - it is deeply tied to the well-being of a community, environment, and the world at large. While most prepper guides talk about the essentials of food, shelter, and water, this action list also covers themes of creativity, regulation, and cooperative living. From mindset to mutual aid, self-defense to conflict resolution, nervous system regulation to voter rights, this guide provides small steps that you can build up over time to help you and your community stay ready. You won’t find doomsday fear mongering or cues to hoard resources here - Warrior Healing Arts is all about self actualization, sustainability, and community abundance.
The 7 Key Areas of Preparation
To build a strong foundation for resilience in uncertain times, we are going to focus on these areas:
Security & Resilience (organization, medical care, and disaster preparedness)
Economic Stability (downsizing, strategic boycotting, and creative business solutions)
Personal Empowerment, Mastery & Skill Share (education, skill-building, and physical & mental resilience)
Community & Mutual Aid (local resilience networks, nonviolent conflict resolution, and defense strategies)
Political & Civic Engagement (voting, advocacy, and direct action)
Mindset, Emotion & Nervous System Regulation (inner regulation and lessons from past and current movements and leaders)
Collective Envisioning (systemic change, sustainability, and global well-being)
1) Security & Resilience
The base of any strong foundation should be one of structure, order, and awareness. Know yourself and know your plan.
Organize Your Documents
Get or renew your passport
Keep track of your Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, and other important documents
Make digital copies of everything and store them on an external hard drive
Get Your Health in Order
Take proactive steps to maintain your well-being before a crisis hits - book and attend those check ups!
Secure your insurance (review coverage, understand options, update as needed)
Manage your prescriptions and stock up on extras if possible
Plan for reproductive health (know your options, access necessary care, have a backup plan)
Have a Disaster Plan
Store a minimum of 3 days’ worth of food and water, then gradually build up to 2 weeks, 1 month, or more
Prepare both a go-bag for quick exits and a stay-bin for long-term needs
Develop a home base plan for your family’s safety and logistics
Learn basic first aid skills to handle emergencies
2) Economic Stability
I know - capitalism is the root of so much of our collective woes, but we can’t change the system if we are drowning within it. Find or make a better way!
Practice Strategic Boycotting
Use your financial power to support local businesses, entrepreneurial friends, and ethical companies
Move your money from big banks and into local credit unions
Remember that boycotting is only strong when it’s done in huge numbers - keep an eye on organizations that are tracking the movement
Explore Cooperative Living & Resource Sharing
Participate in resource-sharing networks, such as tool libraries, BuyNothing groups, and ride-sharing programs, to minimize individual consumption and contribute to a circular economy
Cancel non-essentials (capitalism thrives on urgency, competition, and inadequacy - know that you don’t have to keep up with the Kardashians!)
Build Your Own Business as a Vessel for Change
Start a business or side hustle that not only serves your passion but also drives progressive change - Use it as a platform to promote ethical practices, community empowerment, and environmental responsibility
Channel your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into projects that reflect your values and contribute to building a fair and sustainable world - We need your genius!
3) Personal Empowerment, Mastery & Skill Share
In times of uncertainty, focus on what you CAN control. Use your mind and body wisely, and share your genius with others.
Build Yourself Up
Prioritize education, whether from academic institutions, mentorship, certifications, skill trade, or free resources
Develop skills (what do you know or what can you learn that might help your community? Hone it!)
Focus on specialization (we can’t all be good at and know everything - so find your special sauce and share it!)
Fuel Your Mind
Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch media that challenge your thinking, teach resilience, and highlight different forms of strength, survival and historical perspectives
Practice discernment (question sources, recognize bias, and guard against manipulation, as misinformation and fear tactics are everywhere)
Balance your intake of information (stay informed without doom-scrolling)
Fuel Your Body
Practice martial arts, strength training, mobility work, breathwork, and/or endurance training to stay focused and alert
Train for resilience by developing self-defense, survival skills, and nervous system regulation to handle the unexpected
Nourish yourself by prioritizing whole foods, hydration, and nutrient-dense meals (as much as you can afford/manage)
4) Community & Mutual Aid
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Build Community
Take & teach local classes
Engage in mutual aid (provide resources and services to each other in times of need)
Learn about and implement non-violent communication and conflict resolution strategies
Experience joy with others - dance, party, eat good food, rejoice whenever you can!
Secure Local Food Sources
Support small grocers, local farms, farmers markets & CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture)
Learn foraging & preservation skills
Look into community gardens & urban farming
Practice Self and Community Defense and De-escalation
Strengthen collective safety through mutual defense networks and nonviolent conflict resolution practices
Know when to engage in conflict & when to walk away or de-escalate by cultivating situational awareness and learning about attack dynamics
If you’re going to have a weapon, train diligently with that weapon
“Leadership today is about courage. Courage to realize our challenges are complex and no one individual, organization, or sector can resolve them on their own. ”
5) Political & Civic Engagement
Whether we like it or not, political mechanisms are the levers that push society forward…or backward. Your participation is required.
Engage in Advocacy & Direct Action
Research policies and candidates at all levels of government, especially local government
Vote strategically to support justice, sustainability, and community well-being
Contact representatives, sign petitions, and attend town halls (download the 5 Calls app to use as an easy tool and resource)
Participate in protests, general work strikes, or do what you can from home
Support Alternative Systems
Strengthen unions, mutual aid networks, and grassroots movements
Divest from unethical corporations and support community-led initiatives
Engage in local organizing to create real solutions outside of corporate control
Know Your Rights & Stay Secure
Learn your rights when protesting, recording police, or engaging in direct forms of activism
Use encrypted communication (Signal, ProtonMail) and be mindful of surveillance tactics
Always choose strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
Limit personal info online and scrub what you can (use services like DeleteMe)
6) Mindset, Emotion & Nervous System Regulation
A sustainable collective movement requires a steady environment within. Learning from those who’ve come before us and practicing regulation are key to consistent action.
Mind Your Mindset
Respect the work that came before you - study the movements, leaders, and communities who have been resisting and organizing for decades, such as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA, veterans, and disabled folk
Try to avoid performative activism by staying grounded, engaged, and focused on real change
Learn to navigate fear, crisis fatigue, and burnout without becoming numb or paralyzed
Regulate Your Nervous System
If you’re able to, move daily—- walking, martial arts, dance, and even slow, intentional breathing all help regulate stress
Research and consider taking gentle, supportive herbs such as oatstraw, nettles, and passionflower
Find your support system and confide in like-minded people who share your values, whether in-person or online
Explore embodied activism & somatic practices that can teach you techniques to keep your body and mind steady in times of stress
7) Collective Envisioning
What is all the grit, pain, hard work, and suffering for if we don’t have a vision to strive toward? Without hope and vision, setbacks will feel futile.
Visualize the future and share with others
Take time to actually envision a world built on equity, sustainability, and collective care
Engage in discussions and creative problem-solving to imagine alternatives to harmful and exploitative systems
Support movements and organizations that center justice, liberation, and long-term well-being
Create Systemic Change
Advocate for policies that promote sustainability, human rights, and economic fairness
Vote with intention, participate in direct action, and engage in community-led initiatives
Practice Sustainability & Resource Stewardship
Reduce waste, support local and regenerative agriculture, and invest in sustainable solutions
Learn about permaculture, renewable energy, and ways to lessen dependence on exploitative industries
Advocate for climate justice, fair labor practices, and equitable access to healthcare and education
Now take a deeeeeeep breath! Very nice. Now, this guide isn’t a full prepper blueprint, and is only meant to be a foundation of small action steps. Start where you can, build as you go, and lean on community. Resilience is a collective effort.
Let’s do this,
Joelle
Resources:
Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)
Public Safety First Aid Training (PSFA)
Gun training and safety for progressive and marginalized communities
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
Center for Nonviolent Communication
Embodied Activism by Rae Johnson PhD