Assessment

…identifying strengths and vulnerabilities of our lifestyle and household

Twelve areas

The following assessment is a comprehensive set of 100 questions designed to help you focus more clearly on what is needed to build a genuinely resilient way of life and household – one capable of carrying those within it through the environmental, social, and economic uncertainties that lie ahead.

The questions cover twelve areas of life:

community
mental preparedness
practical skills
food
water
shelter
energy
transport
finances
safety and protection
health and wellbeing
technology and communication

To receive a meaningful result, all 100 questions must be answered. Once the assessment is complete, the next step leads to Action, where following the outlined steps allows you to improve your score – strengthening both personal and community resilience in the process.

Strengths and vulnerabilities

Even the most thorough preparation offers no guarantee against every challenge ahead. Yet by investing time and attention in addressing the weaknesses revealed by the Assessment, we gain a clearer sense of the tasks before us, and can act along a coherent, realistic plan to improve our chances. That, in itself, is one of the wisest things we can do.

The Assessment functions as a resilience indicator, highlighting the strengths and vulnerabilities of our lifestyle and household. When used as part of a wider system – together with Dialogue and Action – it can become a powerful catalyst for positive change in our lives.

It draws attention to how we build relationships within our community; how we care for our physical, emotional, and mental health; how we understand and secure our food and water systems; how we make thoughtful use of technology; how we protect our finances – and ourselves. And the list goes on.

For a more liveable life

Important: while the Assessment may encourage us to live more consciously and with greater preparedness, it does not slow climate change, restore lost forests, or bring extinct species back. It is not about saving the planet.

Its sole purpose is far more grounded: to make everyday life more resilient – and therefore more liveable – during a period that will be far, far more challenging than the present.

Think of this assessment as a dynamic, evolving tool, one that needs to change over time. That is precisely its purpose. The goal is for the number of no answers to steadily decrease, while the yes answers grow with each iteration. Its full value emerges when people share it with one another. A community can only become stronger if its members do too – the more of them, the better.

Visible progress

The data entered into the test are not stored in any way, so we encourage you to note your result for yourself – dated – each time you complete it. This allows your progress to become visible, offering strength and motivation to continue. After all, the only skill we truly need to learn is how to stand up n + 1 times.

And finally: resilience is a complex, multidimensional quality of human life. One we often only come to fully appreciate after life has tested us. May it be that, years from now, looking back on this day, we are grateful that we began today.

“It becomes harder and harder to deny what you are experiencing, because once your attention turns towards reality, you will see its confirmation everywhere—both close to home and across the world.”

Catherine Ingram

The Assessment

Community

I address my neighbour by their first name.

Yes No

Community

I have shared a meal with several of my neighbours.

Yes No

Community

We share commonly owned tools or resources (e.g. lawnmower, livestock).

Yes No

Community

I know at least three people nearby who consider preparedness important.

Yes No

Community

Most of my family and friends support my efforts and the idea of preparedness.

Yes No

Community

I regularly contribute to the preparedness of my surroundings and local community.

Yes No

Community

I have spoken with our political representatives about the importance of resilient communities.

Yes No

Community

Our local or national representatives support the development of resilient communities.

Yes No

Community

Local media treats preparedness and adaptation as important topics.

Yes No

10.

Community

Our community will cope successfully during economic and social disruption.

Yes No

11.

Mental preparedness

I feel emotionally and psychologically prepared for the changes ahead.

Yes No

12.

Mental preparedness

I have at least three people I can rely on if needed.

Yes No

13.

Mental preparedness

I am mentally prepared for a significantly altered future.

Yes No

14.

Mental preparedness

My religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs provide support.

Yes No

15.

Mental preparedness

I have healthy family relationships I can depend on.

Yes No

16.

Mental preparedness

I have a stress-management practice that I use regularly.

Yes No

17.

Mental preparedness

I regularly spend part of my free time in nature.

Yes No

18.

Mental preparedness

I keep a personal journal that helps me process my life and emotions.

Yes No

19.

Mental preparedness

Music, literature, or art play an important role in my ability to recharge.

Yes No

20.

Practical skills

I have at least three practical skills that I actively use and could teach.

Yes No

21.

Practical skills

I understand how the systems and equipment in my home work, and can repair them.

Yes No

22.

Practical skills

I know how to produce or exchange basic necessities without using money.

Yes No

23.

Practical skills

I can quickly learn practical skills I do not yet possess.

Yes No

24.

Practical skills

I have genuinely usable first-aid knowledge.

Yes No

25.

Practical skills

I own a complete toolkit and know how to use it.

Yes No

26.

Practical skills

I can carry out basic repairs on my clothing and footwear.

Yes No

27.

Practical skills

I can cook nutritious, economical, and healthy meals.

Yes No

28.

Practical skills

There is a local workshop or maker space I could join.

Yes No

29.

Food

I am not entirely dependent on industrial food supply chains.

Yes No

30.

Food

A significant portion of my food comes from local sources

Yes No

31.

Food

I obtain some food through fishing, hunting, or growing it myself.

Yes No

32.

Food

I am able to preserve local and seasonal food.

Yes No

33.

Food

I mainly eat plant-based food, or am seriously preparing to do so.

Yes No

34.

Food

I have a three-month food supply per person.

Yes No

35.

Food

I am an active member of a local community garden.

Yes No

36.

Food

I regularly store seeds and have appropriate knowledge to use them.

Yes No

37.

Food

I have a three-month supply of pet food (no pets = yes).

Yes No

38.

Water

I know where my drinking water comes from.

Yes No

39.

Water

I have an alternative water source for emergencies.

Yes No

40.

Water

I have tested and used this alternative water source.

Yes No

41.

Water

I am able to purify water and have the necessary tools and materials.

Yes No

42.

Water

I have spare filters or components for water filtration systems.

Yes No

43.

Water

I know my daily water consumption and can reduce it if necessary.

Yes No

44.

Water

I am familiar with greywater and would be willing to use it.

Yes No

45.

Water

All taps are fitted with flow-regulating devices.

Yes No

46.

Shelter

My home is located in a safe area with a functioning community.

Yes No

47.

Shelter

My rent or mortgage is manageable, or I have none.

Yes No

48.

Shelter

My home is properly insulated (walls, windows, doors).

Yes No

49.

Shelter

Maintaining my home is manageable for me.

Yes No

50.

Shelter

My household energy use is low.

Yes No

51.

Energy

I know my household’s weekly, monthly, and yearly energy use.

Yes No

52.

Energy

actively explore ways to reduce energy consumption.

Yes No

53.

Energy

I use some form of renewable energy at home.

Yes No

54.

Energy

I have experience living without electricity.

Yes No

55.

Energy

I can heat or cool my home without electricity or gas.

Yes No

56.

Energy

I can cook without electricity or gas.

Yes No

57.

Energy

I have a backup energy source for extended outages.

Yes No

58.

Energy

I could live without electricity for several days.

Yes No

59.

Transport

My personal vehicle is fuel-efficient (no vehicle = yes).

Yes No

60.

Transport

I can reach most necessary places without a vehicle.

Yes No

61.

Transport

Public transport is good where I live.

Yes No

62.

Transport

My vehicle is well maintained and roadworthy (no vehicle = yes).

Yes No

63.

Transport

I can carry out basic vehicle repairs if necessary.

Yes No

64.

Transport

I own up-to-date paper maps.

Yes No

65.

Transport

I have a bicycle suitable for local transport.

Yes No

66.

Finances

I know my monthly and yearly expenses.

Yes No

67.

Finances

I have a realistic plan to reduce expenses by 50% if needed.

Yes No

68.

Finances

I could live off my savings for 12 months if necessary.

Yes No

69.

Finances

I am up to date with all loan repayments (no loans = yes).

Yes No

70.

Finances

My car loan is fully paid (no car = yes).

Yes No

71.

Finances

I have 3–6 months of savings outside the banking system.

Yes No

72.

Finances

My current income feels secure and reliable.

Yes No

73.

Finances

At least 10% of my assets are non-monetary.

Yes No

74.

Finances

I own property, such as land or a home.

Yes No

75.

Finances

I believe my assets would remain safe during financial collapse.

Yes No

76.

Safety and protection

I have self-defence skills and can protect myself.

Yes No

77.

Safety and protection

My home has smoke and fire detectors installed.

Yes No

78.

Safety and protection

I have at least one fire extinguisher at home.

Yes No

79.

Safety and protection

My home has secure locks, alarms, or other safety features.

Yes No

80.

Safety and protection

Copies of important documents are stored securely elsewhere.

Yes No

81.

Safety and protection

My will is up to date and stored outside my home.

Yes No

82.

Health and wellbeing

I eat a healthy diet.

Yes No

83.

Health and wellbeing

I have a three-month supply of necessary medication.

Yes No

84.

Health and wellbeing

I drink sufficient clean water daily (more than one litre).

Yes No

85.

Health and wellbeing

I exercise regularly (at least 20 minutes, four times a week).

Yes No

86.

Health and wellbeing

I consume alcohol in moderation (no alcohol = yes).

Yes No

87.

Health and wellbeing

My work–life balance is healthy and sustainable.

Yes No

88.

Health and wellbeing

I attend regular medical check-ups.

Yes No

89.

Health and wellbeing

I attend regular dental check-ups.

Yes No

90.

Health and wellbeing

I feel gratitude for the quality of my life.

Yes No

91.

Technology and communication

I can use social media for organisation and communication if needed.

Yes No

92.

Technology and communication

I have the emergency app installed and know how to use it.

Yes No

93.

Technology and communication

All my digital devices are protected by strong passwords and encryption.

Yes No

94.

Technology and communication

I have offline backups of all important digital data.

Yes No

95.

Technology and communication

I can ask for help even if mobile networks fail.

Yes No

96.

Technology and communication

I own a working battery-powered radio.

Yes No

97.

Technology and communication

I have spare parts and batteries for essential devices.

Yes No

98.

Technology and communication

I have an action plan for emergencies or disasters.

Yes No

99.

Technology and communication

I know a safe place to go during unrest or disasters.

Yes No

100.

Technology and communication

I have prepared rapid-response “essential gear” kits and practised loading them into a vehicle.

Yes No

Resilience

Dialogue

Action

“The vast majority of people today value only what enables them to rise above others in ruthless competition.”

Konrad Lorenz

Assessment

Twelve areas

Strengths and vulnerabilities

For a more liveable life

Visible progress

The Assessment

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