Why I Finally Started Doing Regular Backups
Let me paint you a picture: It’s 2 AM, your laptop suddenly makes a sound like a dying robot, and that work project due tomorrow? Gone. Poof. Years of family photos? Vanished.
That was me last year. Now? I backup like my digital life depends on it (because it does). Here’s why you’ll want to join Team Backup before disaster strikes.
The “Oh Sh*t” Moment That Changed Everything
Thought my external hard drive was “good enough”. Left it plugged in during a power surge (RIP 5 years of photos). Paid $800 for data recovery that only got half my files back
Your Future Self Will:
Thank you for setting up backups
Curse past-you if you don’t
Backup Methods That Actually Work For Real People
The “Set It and Forget It” Option (Cloud)
iCloud/Google Drive for phones
Backblaze ($7/month for unlimited computer backup)
Pro: Automatic, survives fires/floods
Con: Requires internet
The “I Want Physical Copies” Approach
External SSD (way faster than old hard drives).NAS system if you’re techy
Pro: Instant access
Con: Can get lost/stolen/damaged
The Paranoid Perfectionist Combo
Cloud + external drive + occasional USB in fireproof safe
My Method: Backblaze + monthly SSD updates
What Actually Needs Backing Up
Non-Negotiables:
Photos/videos (you’ll cry if these disappear)
Important documents (tax files, contracts)
Creative projects (that novel ain’t writing itself)
Can Probably Redownload:
Music/movies
Programs
Memes (sorry)
My Backup Routine (That Takes <5 Minutes Weekly)
Sunday Night Reminder:
Plug in external SSD
Let Time Machine do its thing
Verify Backblaze is working
Smugly pat myself on back
Total Time Spent: Less than waiting for coffee to brew
Excuses I Used To Make (And Why They’re BS)
“I don’t have anything important”
Until your phone dies with all baby photos
“It’s too complicated”
Modern apps do it automatically
“I’ll do it later”
Said everyone right before data disaster
Final Reality Check
You wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked 24/7. Why do that with your digital life?
Your turn: Already backup? What’s your system? Still putting it off? What’s your excuse?
