Sometimes, the most insignificant things can have a surprising effect on life. As a former civil servant involved with planning work, I am guided to a simple quote that remain etched in my mind; a reminder to always plan even if you’re out of the industry.
“As planners, we must constantly plan for the best and prepare for the worst.” — Kim Goh
I used to carry a lot of “essentials” in my bag, just in case that I might need it. There was a time when I get so engrossed with my everyday carry (EDC) that I constantly research for days over the Web on inspirations to optimise my gear.
An unhealthy obsession.
From first aid kits to emergency rations, battery chargers and Swiss Army knives, I had it all and seemed to have everything prepared for an emergency.
And yet, I have this nagging feeling that my EDC is inadequate.
What if I got into a typhoon storm, or maybe an impending doom from a cataclysmic meteorite impact, or even a nasty zombie outbreak?
Questions like these makes me put unnecessary burden on myself to the point of distress. I knew that the chances of the above scenarios I conjure in my mind are highly unlikely, impossible and downright ridiculous. And still, I’d re-evaluate my pack again, with the help of the like minded EDC enthusiasts lurking on web forums, that often than not, results in me to expand my inventory.
To me, the planning process is a joy; the kind of reassuring comfort some of us seek in knowing that one has prepared as best as one can be for every event.
Or not.
I am way past that obsession now.
After tons of experimenting, I realised that the fault is within me. In my pursuit to determine the best EDC, I lose sight on the basic fundamental of planning- the lack of objective.
Packing for every possible scenario is essentially packing blindly without any focus.
And that is when I decide to come up with 4 key pointers to ensure that I do not repeat the same mistake.
The FEFE packing guide.
- Frequency. Am I going to use this stuff this week? If not, don’t bother carrying it. You need to bring what you frequently use; the essentials.
- Environment. Is the stuff I’m carrying going to be help me for the day. I’d bring a raincoat if the chance of a rain is coming. I’d swap for a Chelsea boots in favor for a pair of white sneakers if I’m motorcycling.
- Function. I always make it a rule to get multi functional tools or utilities. That way, I can maximise the things I can do in the event of an emergency. For example, a minimalist Swiss Army knife which I loved and has all the essential functions.
- Event. What are the realistic events that might have a chance of happening? For example, e.g. losing a wallet or hand phone is a realistic scenario. Anticipating these events in mind narrows down the utilities you might need instead of bogging your mind down on other stuff which might be disguised as essential.
So there you have it. Have fun!
