Sometimes I wish brains had a save button. Something as simple as just clicking and saving a moment before it slips away. Label it something like actually_feeling_ok_v4, and stash it somewhere I won’t lose it.
We don't usually think of our emotions as data, but maybe we should. We lose good moments all the time. They get overwritten by stress, burnout, or that random existential spiral at 2 a.m. So when life inevitably crashes, it’s good to have a backup.
Creating emotional checkpoints.
Think about those random things that make you feel secure. That playlist from three summers ago that somehow captured exactly how you felt. The silly notes you wrote yourself when things were weirdly okay.
Photos. Voice notes. Journal entries that felt mundane at the time.
These are checkpoints. You might not be able to fully relive the moment; but they can help you remember you're capable of feeling alright again.
Journaling isn't just fluffy self-care.
You’re not trying to be profound here. You're leaving notes for future you, who might need reminding.
Reminding of what felt right. How you managed to get through that impossible-seeming day. Or simply the tiny ways you kept it together.
Your journal doesn't need to be special. It just needs to exist; because you'll forget things quicker than you think.
Simple rituals can anchor you. The coffee routine every morning. That one song you listen to when life feels particularly unstable. Even something silly like reorganizing apps on your phone (we've all been there).
These rituals aren't just nice; they're stabilizing. They offer predictable comfort when life gets unpredictable.
When it goes too far.
But let's talk limits. Emotional backups shouldn't trap you in nostalgia. If you're spending more time on past checkpoints instead of dealing with today, it's probably too much.
The point of backing up isn’t to avoid reality. It's more like… insurance. A reminder that feeling good (or at leaststable) isn't gone forever.
Keep your backups handy; but don't live there. They're a resource, don’t mistake them as an escape route.
Things you can try today.
Create a playlist titled “Emergency Backup,” full of songs that ground you, no matter your mood.
Take a few quick snapshots of random things you enjoy; zero selfies required.
Start a quick notes app entry called “Good stuff” and jot down random moments or observations that lift your mood.
Write a single sentence about something you're grateful you survived this week. Tuck it somewhere you won't expect to find it.
Loved this, Jake. Such a needed reminder to pause, breathe, and save what matters, progress counts in every form.