Ah, the holidays. They have a funny way of amplifying whatever we’re feeling. For some, they bring the scent of pine and cinnamon, the glow of string lights reflected in eager eyes, and that undeniable buzz of excitement that only this time of year can conjure. For others, the same season stirs up something heavier — a nostalgia that stings more than it soothes, or a stress that feels like it’s closing in from all sides. Love it or hate it, none of us come through December untouched.
This time of year magnifies our experiences, our memories, and our needs, both practical and emotional. If you’re traveling, whether it’s a cross-country road trip or a cramped flight to see family, the season demands a heightened awareness. There’s the need to stay alert, to keep your defenses sharp and your mind clear in the midst of the chaos. But there’s also a different kind of awareness that’s just as critical: noticing how you’re feeling, acknowledging your limits, and protecting your peace as fiercely as you protect your loved ones.
And if you’re staying home this season — perhaps by choice, perhaps by circumstance — that requires its own kind of strength. The silence of the holidays can echo differently when it’s just you and your thoughts. It’s a time that tests your mental resilience and your ability to find comfort in your own company. There’s a quiet kind of survival in that, too — one that often goes unspoken but is every bit as real as any wilderness challenge.
In this issue, we wanted to explore what “survival” really looks like during the holidays. Yes, there’s the practical side of preparedness, and we’ve got plenty of that. In “Gear Up – RECOIL OFFGRID’s Sleigh,” we’ve rounded up some smart, reliable gift ideas for the self-reliant folks in your life. Alongside the gear, we’re debuting a new rating system to help you gauge how dependable a piece of equipment truly is. After all, the holidays are full of surprises, your gear shouldn’t be one of them.
Licensed trauma therapist Tom Sarge offers some grounded, compassionate advice for navigating the emotional terrain of the holiday season. His insights on coping with the holiday blues are a reminder that it’s OK to step back, breathe, and care for yourself, even when the world is telling you to keep up appearances.
Then, there’s a sweeter kind of survival in Christopher Nyerges’ contribution. A newcomer to our pages, he explores the unexpected ways chocolate can serve both as comfort and sustenance, blending the practical with the pleasurable. His recipes are simple, nourishing, and just the thing to remind you that even small indulgences can have a place in a life of preparedness.
And for those facing the biting cold, Nicholas Italiano brings us practical, no-nonsense advice for staying warm when the mercury drops. His piece is a timely reminder that survival begins with the basics, protecting your body’s core, respecting the elements, and never underestimating how quickly conditions can change.
When you put it all together, this issue is really about the many forms of endurance — the physical, yes, but also the emotional, the psychological, and even the spiritual. The holidays can test all of these. They ask us to balance joy with grief, generosity with boundaries, connection with solitude. And through it all, we adapt, prepare, and persist.
So, whether you’re out on the road or tucked in at home, I hope you find something in these pages that helps you navigate the season with a little more clarity and confidence. Maybe it’s a new tool for your pack, or maybe it’s a new perspective that helps lighten the weight you’ve been carrying.
From all of us here, I want to wish you not just a happy holiday, but a grounded one. Make this a season where you can truly breathe, take stock, and care for yourself and those around you.
Read More From Issue 71
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Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.