The Necessity of Luxury

Not actually Erin.

Picture by KJ Photography

& is used with permission.

 Wait, I know what you're going to say: Erin, luxuries aren't necessities! That's why we have two different words for them! And you'd be correct. However, that's not the argument I'm making. 

While luxuries do indeed come well after necessities, the fact remains that mental health is a necessity, and a little bit of luxury goes a long way towards improving mental health by decreasing stress, increasing comfort, or improving overall quality of life. So while luxuries plural aren't a necessity, I contend that a single luxury item within a bug out bag can be. 

When you think about it, a lot of our preps are already pretty luxurious. When compared to a lean-to made from saplings, a tent is pretty luxurious; when compared to starting a fire with a bow drill, a pocket lighter is downright luxurious; and when it comes to taking a poop in woods, well, you tell me how necessary a soft square of toilet paper is. 

Even the US military understands the necessity of certain forms of luxury. Every infantryman I know loves his woobie beyond rationality, and every MRE I've ever seen has some form of candy, cookie, or chocolate inside it. Sure, a poncho liner keeps a soldier warm and dry, and sugar is a quick energy boost that can be useful on the battlefield; but neither of them are specifically needed by a warfighter. 

Here are some ideas for little luxuries in your bug out bag:

• Individually wrapped hard candies
• Waterproof playing cards (these have increased value if they have information on them, such as plant recognition or knot tying)
• Miniature bottles of liquor
• Harmonica
• Small mp3 player (like an iPod nano)

In short, don't denigrate a little luxury in your preps. It goes a long way towards lifting your spirits and making life seem worth living.