Winter is a season of contrasts: a time when the world slows down under a blanket of snow, yet life bustles with holidays, family gatherings, and road trips. Preparedness, at its best, isn’t about fear or pessimism. It’s about peace of mind. It’s about making sure the small things are in place so that the big stuff —joy, laughter, and warmth — can take center stage.

Preparation isn’t about reaction. Preparation is about thinking.
It’s what separates the frantic from the calm, the stranded from the steady, and the worried from the ready. Travel can be a stressful time. A little planning and preparation can lessen the holiday travel stress. The holidays shine brightest for those who take a few simple steps ahead of time. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year — if you’re prepared.

The Spirit of Preparedness
Preparedness is not paranoia; it’s thoughtfulness in motion. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you’ve already solved tomorrow’s minor problems today. You don’t need a bunker or a bugout bag to be ready for winter. You need foresight —the ability to imagine a cold morning, a slippery road, or a power outage —and to know you’ve got it covered.
Think of preparedness as self-care for the practical mind. The same instinct that makes us wrap gifts and bake cookies should make us wrap pipes and check flashlights.

Preparation isn’t about reaction. Preparation is about thinking.
We become what we think about. And we can also become better thinkers. In previous writing, I’ve explored gamification, the idea that “games” and scenarios are not mere entertainment but rehearsals for reality. Games are cognitive exercises. They invite us to imagine, test, and adapt. Making up simple “what if” scenarios, whether a dead battery on a frozen morning, a delayed flight with children, or a power outage during dinner, is a form of discovery learning. When we mentally play through these situations, we turn uncertainty into curiosity. Every rehearsal sharpens instinct; every scenario builds calm. Gamified thinking transforms preparedness from anxiety into awareness. When we rehearse, we learn. When we know, we adapt. And when we adapt, we thrive.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), about one-third of drivers admit to skipping or delaying recommended maintenance. This is a habit directly linked to the most common roadside breakdowns. Regular maintenance isn’t optional; it’s what keeps cars safe and predictable. AAA’s data show that vehicles kept on a consistent schedule routinely exceed 150,000 to 200,000 miles of reliable service, while poorly maintained ones often fall well below their expected lifespan. Cars don’t fail suddenly. They whisper for attention long before they shout for help.

The Winter Vehicle Check
Before the mercury dips or the first flake falls, treat your vehicle to a bit of preseason attention. Cold weather magnifies neglect.

• Check your tires. Cold air reduces pressure, so fill them to the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) and inspect tread depth. Consider snow tires if you live where ice is a constant companion. If you live in an area where tire chains are required, inspect and oil them to make installation easier.

• Fluids matter. Antifreeze, oil, and windshield washer fluid all thicken or deplete faster in the cold. Replace or top them up before the deep freeze hits. Many automobile service centers offer a “winterization” package. Whether you use that service or you’re a “do it yourself” person, be sure to check all your fluids.

• The most critical component — your battery. A car can have new tires, a full tank, and perfect fluids, but without a healthy battery, it goes nowhere. Cold weather is brutal on batteries; their cranking power can drop by nearly half when temperatures fall to zero. Most people don’t realize that batteries have a defined lifespan — usually three to five years — and that a little preventive testing can save a big headache later. Before winter settles in, have a mechanic check your battery’s cold-cranking amperage (CCA) to ensure it can handle subfreezing starts. Replace it if it’s nearing the end of its life. A small investment now can prevent a frozen morning, a stranded family, or a call for help that didn’t need to happen.

• The trunk kit. Stash an extra coat, a pair of gloves, a blanket, bottled water, and a few snacks. Add jumper cables, a flashlight with fresh batteries, and a small shovel. You’ll rarely need them, but the day you do, you’ll thank your past self.

While you’re at it, throw in a spare phone charger or a backup power bank. In our twenty-first-century lives, we take connectivity for granted until we lose it. A fully charged phone battery doesn’t last long in freezing temperatures, and without a wire or a backup battery, you don’t just lose convenience; you lose connection. Whether it’s navigation, weather updates, or reaching help in an emergency, power equals communication.
And sometimes, the old-school ways still win. Toss a road atlas or printed map into the glove box. In the world of GPS and cell towers, we forget that batteries die, signals drop, and screens freeze. Knowing how to read a map gives you something most technology can’t: a grounded perspective. It helps you orient yourself, explain where you are, and understand where you’re headed. Most fear begins with the unknown. If you know where you are, you can tell others where to find you. When you can read a map, you’re not just prepared; you’re empowered. And many states’ welcome centers offer free maps, so pit stops can add value in more ways than one.
Remember: if most people followed their manufacturer’s maintenance plan and understood a few basics about car care, they’d maximize their vehicle’s utility, drive more safely, and avoid most roadside mishaps. The last thing anyone wants is to have a Christmas tree tied to the roof while sitting motionless on I-95 South, watching the taillights fade and wishing they’d taken fifteen minutes to winterize.

Preparedness behind the wheel isn’t just smart — it’s peace of mind in motion.

The Winter Trip Jar: Fiscal Reverse Engineering
According to the Federal Reserve, about 37 percent of Americans can’t cover a $400 emergency expense without borrowing or selling something, and LendingTree reports that one in four drivers can’t afford a $500 car repair without going into debt. Those numbers don’t come from bad luck but from failing to plan for the predictable.
That’s where a simple habit, what we’ll call the Winter TripJar, comes in. Americans are literally sitting on a travel fund without realizing it. Bank surveys and coin-counting services estimate that the average U.S. household has about $60 to $100 in spare change tucked away in jars, drawers, and car cupholders. Multiply that by roughly 128 million households, and you get between $8 and $13 billion in idle coins—money that could patch tires, cover hotel nights, or turn roadside trouble into a minor inconvenience. The U.S. Coin Task Force says there’s $48 billion in circulating coins nationwide, much of it sitting dormant in homes. Start skimming that quiet currency into a “winter trip jar,” and you’ll have an emergency fund built from what you barely notice losing.
Start in the summer. Toss in your loose change, spare singles, or the few dollars you save by skipping a daily coffee or soda. It’s fiscal reverse engineering: you’re not saving what’s left over, you’re reclaiming what you’d otherwise spend.
At a few dimes and quarters a day, that’s going to add up and will be available for the Winter Wonderland Fund by the time the holidays arrive. When the unexpected happens, whether a dead battery, a flat tire, a tow, or a night in a roadside motel, you’ll have real cash on hand.
Please bring it with you on trips. Don’t overthink it, don’t digitize it, don’t depend on connectivity or credit. Because in a crunch, cash still reigns supreme. Power can go out, cards can fail, apps can crash, but a few folded bills in your glove box can turn a crisis into an inconvenience.
Preparedness isn’t just about spare batteries or snow shovels; it’s about building some simple financial resilience, the same way you build mechanical readiness. The Winter Trip Jar isn’t a savings account; it’s a quiet act of self-reliance.

Traveling with Children
Winter travel can be magical — or miserable — depending on preparation. When traveling with kids, especially over the holidays, comfort equals calmness.
Pack a small “go bag” just for them:

• a few snacks that don’t melt or crumble easily,
• bottled water or juice boxes,
• a coloring book or small pad,
• crayons or washable markers,
• and a favorite blanket or small stuffed toy.

A simple bag of small joys can turn hours in traffic or a weather delay into quiet contentment. It also helps the driver stay focused, because a peaceful back seat is one of the best safety features you can have. If you’re traveling long distances, plan extra time for rest stops — children don’t measure time by miles, but by moments of comfort.

The Home Front
Your home is your winter fortress. The goal is warmth without waste and safety without panic.
• Seal the leaks. Check doors and windows for drafts; weatherstrip or insulate where needed. Small gaps can steal heat and money.
• Change furnace filters. A fresh filter improves efficiency and air quality, especially when homes are well insulated and properly sealed.
• Check detectors. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries. Winter brings closed windows and heating systems — both of which make these devices essential.
• Stock simple comforts. Candles, extra batteries, matches, and a backup charging bank for phones go a long way during power interruptions. Add a few comfort items: cocoa mix, instant soup, and board games. Resilience feels better with hot chocolate and laughter.

The Body’s Winterization Plan
Preparedness isn’t just mechanical — it’s physical. Cold weather challenges the body as much as it does the infrastructure.

• Dress in layers. The trick isn’t heavy clothing, but clever layering — a moisture-wicking base, insulating midlayer, and windproof shell.
• Stay hydrated. People drink less water in winter, but the body still needs it to regulate temperature and energy.
• Exercise. Movement keeps circulation strong and mood elevated. Even a brisk daily walk helps fend off the winter blues.
• Light and rest. Exposure to daylight helps balance circadian rhythms. Open curtains early, use full-spectrum bulbs, and prioritize sleep.

Mental and Social Warmth
Preparedness also extends to the emotional landscape. The holidays can bring both joy and melancholy, especially for those far from loved ones or facing financial stress.
Make your winter preparedness plan include people:

• Check in on elderly neighbors. A quick knock can make the difference between isolation and connection.
• Build a small network of mutual aid people who can share food, rides, or warmth during outages or storms.
• Keep traditions alive, but also start new ones. A winter potluck or game night doesn’t just pass the time; it weaves community resilience.

The Gift of Readiness
Preparedness is one of the few gifts you can give yourself that also benefits others. When you’re ready, you’re reliable. When you’re calm, others follow suit. Imagine being the person with extra gloves, jumper cables, or cocoa during a snowstorm — a small act of readiness that multiplies warmth. In that sense, preparedness becomes a form of generosity. It says, I’ve thought ahead, not just for me, but for us.

Resilience as a Holiday Mindset
Winter teaches humility. Snow reminds us that the world doesn’t revolve around our schedules. But it also offers a beautiful metaphor: life piles up, but preparation lets us keep moving.
An upbeat mindset during the season doesn’t come from ignoring risk; it comes from outsmarting it. We prepare so that we can relax. We pack an extra blanket not out of fear, but because comfort should always travel with us. Because winter preparation isn’t about reacting to what could go wrong, but about thinking ahead so that everything can go right.

Preparation isn’t about reaction. Preparation is about thinking.
The quote “Chance favors the prepared mind,” attributed to Louis Pasteur, emphasizes that being well-prepared increases the likelihood of seizing unexpected opportunities. When you understand that, you realize readiness is not just about surviving winter, it’s about enjoying it. ❦

About the Author

Dan O’Connor is an internationally recognized leader in helping organizations imagine new possibilities, manage complex change, and build durable capabilities for high performance and resilience.
He served 22 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, participating in, supporting, and preparing Americans for operations across the country and around the world. In Washington, DC, he was the anti-terrorism officer and emergency manager during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Dan designed and led security and emergency management operations for the 1996 Summer Olympics, 2002 Winter Olympics, 2004 Summer Olympic Games, and 2016 Summer Olympics. He also served as a senior consultant and lead facilitator for security operations at four of the largest marathons in the United States, as well as the Super Bowl.
He played a pivotal role in managing the national COVID-19 response, overseeing vaccination distribution and delivery centers, and addressing the southern border crisis. His work included significant contributions to emergency management and homeland security, as well as leadership in responses to more than 1,600 federally declared disasters, underscoring his record of operational excellence under pressure.
Dan is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Harvard Kennedy School, Swedish Defense University, the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, the FBI National Academy, the Federal Executive Institute, and the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He is a recognized authority in national and homeland security with extensive experience in law enforcement, crisis leadership, emergency management, continuity of operations, and security/anti-terrorism.

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