“It is NOT a bad thing to be as independent as possible, within reasonable limits.”
The definition of “reasonable limits” varies from one person to another. When a hurricane comes through here, my preps are such that it doesn’t bother me when the power goes out or water gets contaminated or stops, no matter how long that lasts. To me, that is “within reasonable limits”. Your mileage may vary.
I have a well in town and at the farm. We have portable generators that can run them if the power is off.
We have the option of wood heat at both homes. Plenty of wood.
We have a meat processing building at the farm with commercial Hobart sausage mill, meat slicer, butcher band saw, walk-in box. etc.
But I still do not consider myself a prepper.