It seems that everyone is connected these days. With the advent of technology came an entirely new way for us all to live our lives. No longer did we have to sit around and figure out something to do together. Everything we ever could have possibly wanted was at our fingertips. Now, we’re all texting and tweeting to our heart’s’ content. There really isn’t any reason to be bored when a wealth of knowledge is just a few clicks away. Can you imagine suddenly having to go without any of the luxuries that we now take for granted?
With energy companies as clued in as they are now, it’s not often we find ourselves in a position of deprivation. But believe me, it can still happen on occasion. All it takes is a workman on your street accidentally cutting through the wrong wire, and suddenly you’re without electricity. What would you do in that situation? Your phone battery is on its last legs. The television isn’t responding. Even the light switches are showing no signs of life. Here’s what you need to do when the power goes down in your area.
Find A Light Source
There’s nothing worse than stumbling around in the dark. It’s a surefire way to guarantee you end up stubbing your toe on some poorly placed (in hindsight) furniture. Especially those of a certain age, who have experienced their fair share of blackouts, are always prepared for the unexpected. They know exactly where their flashlight is and how to navigate towards it in the dark. They have candles littered around the house with lighters or matches located nearby. They’re ready. You should be too.
Avoid the unnecessary headache of trying to find your way around in the dark by having a source of light somewhere that’s easily accessible. I like to keep candles around the house on any occasion, and they certainly come in handy at times like this. You can get scented candles by Koch, which oddly enough creates quite a calming mood. The pleasantly detectable odor combined with a forced ‘mood lighting’ can actually be something to behold.
Use Up Perishables As Soon As Possible
Not only can a power outage be inconvenient, it can be costly. If you’ve just done the week’s grocery shopping, it’s a nightmare. That refrigerator full of food is spoiling, and fast. If you’re only without power for a short period of time (two hours or less), this isn’t the end of the world. But for more long-term shortages, you need to use up that food as quickly as possible to avoid it spoiling. This can be tricky when you have no means of actually cooking, so it’s time to get creative in the kitchen.
Ward Off Boredom
Nothing will make the time drag longer than sitting around bored. You might be without your television, computer and games console, but there are still plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained. What do you think they did before the technology boom? Dig out board games with your family by candlelight. Read a book as best you can in the circumstances. Hold conversations with your loved ones. With no distractions elsewhere, you can focus on the things that really matter. And wasting time with your favourite people is the best way to bring you closer together, and stave off boredom. That’s the best way to make a power outage bearable.
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