Sentimental go-bags: why crisis keepsakes matter for identity and emotional resilience

Overview

The Conversation UK examines how people think about go-bags in emergencies and why sentimental items such as a childhood teddy bear or photographs matter for post-crisis wellbeing. The piece draws on a Wellcome Trust funded project and links practical government guidance on emergency preparedness with psychological theories of memory and identity.

• Keeper items anchor memory and continuity of self, influencing what people choose to take.
• Many respondents prioritised personal artifacts and even pets over purely practical supplies.
• Self-efficacy and a coherent sense of self correlate with carrying more of the recommended items and knowledge.
• Findings have implications for individual preparedness and community resilience after disasters.

Originally published by The Conversation.

Introduction

In a hypothetical night-time emergency alert, people are told to Leave your home immediately and take only what you need for three days. Governments have long advised stocking essential food, water, medicine, documents, cash, batteries and a wind-up radio to endure the first 72 hours of a disaster. The Conversation UK investigates how UK adults actually respond when asked what they would pack for a sudden crisis, and what sentimental items reveal about our sense of self.

Crises and sentimentality

As climate change and geopolitical instability intensify, preparedness guidance from the UK Prepare campaign and EU preparEU project emphasise practical items. However, the study’s results show a surprising emphasis on sentimental belongings such as childhood toys, jewellery and photographs. Participants described values and memories attached to these objects, suggesting that in crisis these items serve not just as comfort but as anchors of identity and continuity.

Psychological frameworks

The article discusses extended self theory, which posits that our sense of self is continually constructed through our relationships with objects and their memories. The research highlights how possessions become a conduit for continuity of identity across time and space. It notes that the strong emotional significance of keepsakes can help rebuild memory after loss, and that self-efficacy — believing in one’s capacity to cope — may be linked with greater preparedness, especially among vulnerable groups.

Key findings

• Most respondents had less than half of the items recommended by UK Prepare and FEMA, with only a minority reporting full preparedness.
• Sentimental items offer emotional support and identity continuity, potentially mitigating post-disaster distress.
• Self-efficacy correlates with both the breadth of items kept and knowledge of local emergency support.
• The study echoes earlier government surveys on risk perception and resilience, underscoring a persistent preparedness gap in the public psyche.

Implications for individuals and policy

The authors argue that preparedness messaging should consider emotional and identity factors, not just logistics. Salvaging photographs and heirlooms in the wake of a disaster could help preserve memory and aid psychological recovery. The piece also touches on the role of pets as family members and the complex emotional calculus of what to bring when everything else is uncertain.

Conclusion

Beyond the nuts and bolts of go-bags, this article highlights how personal artifacts shape our sense of self and our capacity to cope with crises. It calls for a holistic approach to preparedness that recognises the emotional lives of people and communities when disasters strike.