How resilient are you? survey

Grab some paper and write down your answers to the following questions.

Are you self- and community-sufficient?

1. I put my savings and investments in community and regional banks and local institutions
2. I buy or barter the goods and services I need from local merchants, organizations, or individuals.
3. I make my income from my local economy.
4. I know how to fix, grow, build, or create things (such as repair a roof, grow kale, give a guitar lesson) that others would want in good times and hard times.
5. I have an alternative source of livelihood that could sustain me (and my family) if my current source were no longer viable.
6. I consume locally grown food that I could afford even if prices went up substantially (e.g., from a food co-op, backyard garden).
7. I know how to preserve food and keep a well stocked pantry.
8. I have access to sources of water, even when the weather is unpredictable or the tap water doesn’t work (such as a rainwater tank or a reliable well).
9. I have ways to get around, even if the gas at the pump is unavailable or pricey (such as feet, bike, electric car).
10. I have alternative heat and energy sources (such as solar panels or a wood stove) if the power goes out or utilities get expensive.
11. I actively promote the development of renewable energy in my local community.
12. I have a hopeful vision of what my community and life can look like in a future without fossil fuels.

Do you have a support network?

1. I have friends and acquaintances in my local community (and I know their faces, not just their Facebook pages).
2. I am comfortable asking my neighbors if I can borrow stuff (e.g., tools, ingredients).
3. I could easily call on nearby friends and neighbors for help in an emergency.
4. I offer support to people in my community when they need help.
5. I’m active in community groups (like neighborhood associations, potlucks, churches, soup kitchens, gardening clubs, arts organizations, or local political groups).

Do you have sources of personal resilience?

1. I sing, dance, paint, or otherwise participate in arts or creative work on a regular basis.
2. I regularly engage in activities that help me stay calm and balanced (such as meditation, exercise, prayer, or spending time in nature).
3. I take care of my health, such as through regular exercise, a healthy diet, and an appropriate amount of sleep.

Adapted from the How resilient are you online test by YES! Magazine