What skills would you like to learn?

Daily Writing Prompt – 2078

Let’s be honest — every single one of us has thought about it at some point. What would we do if the world came to an end?

The first and most important rule to remember is this: it only takes one bite to die. I’ll say it again. One bite! So if you’re facing more than one zombie — run. Always run!

Having a rich arsenal of skills and talents is a massive asset. The more you have, the higher your chances of survival. Plus, you instantly become a much more interesting person around the campfire in a post-apocalyptic camp! I love learning new things, but I still feel like I have gaps in my knowledge. There are plenty of skills I’d love to master before the walking dead start shuffling down my street.

Here’s what I’d like to learn before the end of the world:

How to hotwire a car. This is a genuinely fascinating skill — setting aside the fact that you could just smash a window! But that’s only half the battle. How do you actually start the engine without the keys? In a zombie apocalypse, this might be one of the most useful tricks up your sleeve. Priority number one.

How to hack computers. Let’s assume we somehow still have power. How do you search systems or breach poorly secured computers on a local network — without downloading high-tech software? Will these skills actually be useful after the end of the world? I have no idea. But as the old saying goes: better to have a skill and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Who knows, maybe the key to a hidden bunker is sitting on some forgotten server?

Pickpocketing! A true urban phenomenon. It requires crowds and people carrying around loads of cash — something you definitely won’t find in a quiet countryside. Could it come in handy during a zombie apocalypse? It’s pretty much the same deal as computer hacking. I probably won’t be snatching wallets from the undead, but in the initial chaos, it could serve a purpose. The point is to be prepared!

Lock picking! Whether it’s a door lock or a padlock, having the tools and the know-how to get into locked spaces is obviously insanely useful. This skill is a guaranteed winner. It has to come in handy. From securing a hideout to scavenging canned goods from an abandoned supermarket — this is easily the most practical item on my list. A paperclip and a tension wrench might just become my best friends.

Hunting! But not the kind with a hunting rifle. I know how to skin a rabbit. I know how to pluck a chicken. What I have no clue about is how to actually catch one! My current hunting strategy relies on waiting for an animal to voluntarily walk into my kitchen. That’s a serious flaw in my survival plan. I need to learn how to set snares, track game, and do literally anything more active than just sitting patiently next to my garden beds!

Of course, if the zombie apocalypse actually happens, there’s always the option of just joining the horde. Then your only worry is finding fresh brains. It’s a simpler, if slightly less honorable, career path.