Midwest Survival Kit: Here’s What Illinois Folks Say You Should Never Go Without

It doesn't matter if you've lived in the Midwest your entire life, are soon moving here, or just planning a visit, there are certain things you must have to survive here.

Life in the Midwest

As a born and raised Illinois girl there are a few things I know to be true:

1. Illinoisans never give up on the Chicago Bears or the Chicago Cubs.
2. The spring season has split personalities.
3. A lot of your money goes to paying taxes.
4. The state has way more to offer than just corn fields and Chicago.

At the end of the day, I'm happy living in Illinois, but I do acknowledge that the Midwest vibe is different from other parts of the country and to survive here you need to be prepared.

Midwest Survival Kit

I saw this Reel from Midwest vs. Everybody the other day and it made me giggle...

Not only does that video look exactly like a typical day at any store in Illinois, but it also got me thinking, besides Carharts and flannel shirts, what other things MUST be in a Midwest survival kit?

We asked that question on Facebook, and I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of answers we got, because I was fullly expecting to see just "ranch" and "beer" , (which are both vital necessities, btw).  Here are a few of my favorite answers:

A parka, Busch Light, an understanding of the word “ope”, probably a boat or/and an ice fishing shanty, a love for Bloody Marys that can also be a meal.

Those pants that unzip to be shorts. They will come in handy when the weather changes throughout the day.

Something to fill in potholes.

What important things are missing from our Midwest survival kit list? Personally I would add an umbrella, chocolate, sunscreen, and some Miller Lite.