Could You Thrive Through a Long Winter Without Running to the Store?

[SS Project Manager]

Winter has a way of testing us. Snow piles up. Roads get icy. And suddenly that quick trip to the store does not sound so quick anymore. It makes you wonder. If you had to stay home for a while, could you handle it?

This quiz is not about being perfect. It is about seeing how prepared you really are. Answer honestly and have fun with it.

How to Play​

Pick the answer that sounds most like you. Keep track of your letters. Your result will be at the end.

1. If bad weather kept you home for two weeks, food-wise you would feel…​

A. Very confident. I have plenty stocked.
B. Mostly okay but a little nervous.
C. I would have to get creative.
D. Pretty stressed.

2. What does your pantry look like right now?​

A. Full and well-organized.
B. Decent but could use more staples.
C. Some food but not much variety.
D. Barely stocked.

3. How often do you cook meals from scratch in winter?​

A. Almost every day.
B. A few times a week.
C. Only when I have to.
D. Rarely.

4. If the power went out for a day or two, you would…​

A. Be prepared and stay calm.
B. Manage with some adjustments.
C. Struggle but get through it.
D. Panic a little.

5. How do you handle winter heating?​

A. I have backups and plans.
B. I rely on one main source.
C. I bundle up and hope for the best.
D. I have not thought about it much.

6. Do you keep extra essentials like water, batteries, or candles?​

A. Yes, always.
B. Some, but not enough.
C. A little here and there.
D. Not really.

7. When food runs low, you usually…​

A. Use what I have and adjust meals.
B. Stretch supplies carefully.
C. Start worrying.
D. Run to the store.

8. How comfortable are you with food preservation?​

A. Very comfortable.
B. I know the basics.
C. I have tried a little.
D. Not at all.

9. Your winter mindset is best described as…​

A. Calm and prepared.
B. Cautiously confident.
C. Go-with-the-flow.
D. Hopeful but unprepared.

10. Which sentence fits you best?​

A. I plan ahead so winter feels easier.
B. I do okay but want to improve.
C. I figure things out as I go.
D. Winter catches me off guard.

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Your Results​

Mostly A’s: Winter-Ready Pro​

You could thrive through a long winter with confidence. You plan ahead, stay calm, and adapt easily. Winter is just another season to you.

Mostly B’s: Solid but Improving​

You are in a good place, but a few upgrades would help. A little more food storage or planning would boost your confidence.

Mostly C’s: Creative Survivor​

You might not be fully prepared, but you are resourceful. With a bit more planning, winter would feel much easier.

Mostly D’s: Time to Start Now​

Winter might feel overwhelming right now. That is okay. Small steps can make a big difference before the next cold spell hits.

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Final Thought​

Being ready for winter is not about fear. It is about comfort and peace of mind. Share your result in the comments and tell us one thing you want to improve before next winter. Someone else might learn from your experience too.

 

[Mini Horses]

I'm ready!!! Always been aware with food from family gardens & canning. Farming gets you prepped if you raise livestock, have a well, etc....and my job slacks considerably in winter, so I plan financially, too. I hate cold & winter, especially snow/ice but, I can relax for being prepared & able.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Me too! I'm with @Mini Horses on seriously disliking winter weather. We stay well stocked with food and fuel. If bad weather is on the way I do pick up extra livestock feed "justincase." Already have plenty of hay. Have a pond, a well, and always have some water stored in totes and/or barrels too. I'd be pretty angry with myself to be caught short when it's so easy to prep ahead of time - just gotta do it.

 

[flowerbug]

yes, nothing worries me other than something like crazy people coming after us for some reason.

otherwise we're ok and could go a month off food on hand - yes, we'd miss fresh citrus, onions and some other things but we'd manage. we have enough canned items to get us through plus what is in the freezer and then the dry staples like beans.

as long as we get power on once in a while we'd be fine. no power for a few months this time of the year would be much much tougher, but we could do it as long as the propane truck can run again. wood burning we couldn't do easily but in time we could if we had to (it would not be pleasant for either of us because of how we react to smoke and dust).