Survival Always Starts With Me - The Message Behind the Slogan

If you've browsed my Shopify store recently, you may have seen a sweatshirt with the bold slogan "Survival Always Starts With Me."

I created this design to capture a powerful message about self-reliance and personal responsibility, and I want to share the deeper meaning behind those five words.

This slogan is a reminder that our actions, decisions, and mindset are key to facing life’s challenges. When things get tough, it’s natural to look for outside help or even blame circumstances.

But the truth is, each of us has the strength, creativity, and grit to take charge of our own survival.

This slogan is meant to inspire that mindset — the belief that no matter what, we can rely on ourselves first.

With this “survival starts with me” mindset, we’re not waiting around for the government or any other agency to step in and take care of us.

Instead, we take the first steps to protect ourselves, our families, and our wellbeing.

Being prepared isn’t about expecting someone else to step in; it’s about being ready to face what comes our way.

Now, this doesn’t mean we should ignore the power of community and working together.

In fact, by taking responsibility for ourselves, we’re often better able to help others too.

When we’re prepared and resilient, we’re in a stronger position to support loved ones and our community as a whole.

Addressing Misconceptions

For many people, the idea of self-reliance can seem unnecessary, especially if they associate it only with extreme situations like natural disasters or end-of-the-world scenarios.

But self-reliance isn’t just about the “big” emergencies—it’s about being prepared for life’s everyday curveballs too. A power outage, an unexpected car breakdown, a temporary job loss—these aren’t rare events, and each one can be challenging without a little foresight.

Self-reliance is about building the skills and habits that help us manage whatever comes our way, big or small.

By taking steps to ensure we can handle common setbacks, we gain more than just peace of mind; we strengthen our confidence and resourcefulness, making us better equipped for life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Weathering the Storm: A Real-Life Example of Self-Reliance

In Florida, where I live, hurricanes are a part of life. When one comes through, power can be out for days, and the normal flow of life turns on its head.

Without preparation, I'd be sitting in the dark, munching on whatever snacks were left in the pantry, with no communication since the TV, internet, and even my phone would be out.

During the last hurricane, when we lost power for multiple days, we were ready. I had battery-powered lanterns (with plenty of backup batteries), so I wasn’t sitting in the dark.  

We used our generator on a set schedule, keeping food fresh in the fridge and freezer and charging our phones.  

I had my camp stove with extra propane tanks, so I could prepare meals from our well-stocked pantry.  

We even streamed TV on my tablet, turning what could have been a miserable situation into a manageable one.

One of the highlights of that week was sitting at the dining table with my son under the glow of our lantern, working on a puzzle together and sharing Life Saver gummies.  

We were prepared, not just surviving but making the best of the situation — creating a memory rather than just enduring a challenge.