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Out with the old, in with the new ✨

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Author Meghan J. Ward navigates a life lived off the beaten track in the outdoors, travelling, parenting and passion-fuelled projects.
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Out with the old, in with the new ✨

My laptop kicked the bucket. Now what?

Meghan J. Ward
Mar 17, 2022
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Out with the old, in with the new ✨

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As an outdoor, travel and adventure writer, I rely heavily on one tool: my laptop. There is nowhere else that I can type that makes me feel as capable and efficient. To keep up with my brain, and stay in the flow, I need a proper, full-size keyboard. I need a screen big enough that I’m not squinting to see my words. I need my frequently-used files to be organized and easy to find.

I promise if you poll other writers, I won’t sound too high-maintenance. 😂

When my eight-year-old laptop decided to give its last breaths two weeks ago, I found myself in a writer’s no-(wo)man’s-land. I had to toggle between Paul’s laptop and my online backups and download files as needed. I wasn’t logged in to any of my accounts (holy, passwords!). I didn’t have my work-specific apps installed. Two-factor verification became an hourly chime on my phone and I struggled to maintain any sense of a workflow.

MEANWHILE, I received my memoir manuscript back from my copy editor to review. All 274 pages of it. With a request to have it returned to her in a week. 😬

The deadline was doable but without the comfort of my trusty laptop, the process felt like I was driving on square tires. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.

But, now that book has been returned. We’ve even had a chance to review potential cover art (more on that soon)! And as I stare at my old laptop, now sitting on the floor next to me, I’m feeling a lot of gratitude, even nostalgia, about this machine.

Because what would a post about a laptop be without a laptop and latte combo image? Photo by Pixabay via Pexels.com.

On that laptop, I’ve:

  • Written an entire memoir.

  • Penned a children’s book.

  • Researched and written countless magazine articles.

  • Edited all five volumes of the Canadian Rockies Annual.

  • Met 1:1 with creatives.

  • Emailed, written, planned, designed, and strategized for four creative businesses.

  • Hosted and attended numerous meetings and webinars.

  • And more things than I can’t summarize.

I’ve used it so much, the letter “N” is no more.

I got that laptop right around the time my first daughter was born (she turns 9 this month). A lot has happened in my life since then. And as I reflect on all that I’ve created on that old laptop, I’m also aware that I have an opportunity to start fresh with the new one.

At first, I was hung up on the fact that there are some files I lost, at least for now (thankfully 98% of my computer’s contents were backed up). I don’t even know which files I lost, I just know I can’t access them. But in the process of starting anew, I’m realizing that I’ve been trying to recover files that likely won’t serve me as I step into this next phase of my career.

I don’t need those things anymore. Whatever they are.

As I cracked open my new machine today, I decided to start from scratch. No data migration. I’m downloading apps and files as needed, and starting clutter-free. I’m ready to develop a new relationship with this tool and what I’ll create with it in the next phase of my life.

It may sound a bit weird how much meaning I’m putting into a laptop. But this is my life’s work and it’s where I spend a lot of energy. It’s also a way that I’m reframing this next step, like a snake slithering out of its old skin.

The takeaway: I’m wondering if there’s anything you’re holding onto even if it’s not serving you anymore. For me, it’s not just those files that are missing. I know I have some work to do in shedding old patterns, habits, and time-wasters.

The work is never over, but there is always the chance to try again.


Handy backup tools

It’s worth a quick round-up of some of the best tools I use for productivity, and to ensure I don’t lose files along the way.

  1. The computer is fully backed up to CrashPlan.

  2. I use LastPass as a password vault and have it synced across all my Apple devices.

  3. I regularly email myself large files (like my book, articles, etc.) when I’m done working on them for the day. I also upload them to Dropbox. It’s thanks to this habit that at no point in my book writing process was I ever worried about losing work.

  4. I use a 1TB external hard drive for overflow.


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What’s caught my attention lately… ✨

  • Brené with Karen Walrond on Accessing Joy and Finding Connection in the Midst of Struggle - Oh boy, this was a right place, right time kind of listen. Especially based on the last installment of Field Notes, Navigating privilege and passion when others are struggling. ❤️‍🩹 A fav quote: “We can’t give what we don’t have.”

  • Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in the Digital Age, by Christina Crook. I’m about 1/3 of the way through this. The idea of certain burdens being ‘good’ — and being the ones we need to focus on — is new for me. I’m curious to see how this plays out in my relationship with social media.

  • iOS Substack App! Substack is the platform I use for these articles. Their new app lets you read without distractions, find new writers, and more.


Check these out too… 🙌

My Email Newsletter - Updates about my books, projects, and 1:1 coaching.

Lights to Guide Me Home - Join my list to find out more about the travelogue/memoir coming out in Fall 2022.

The Wonders That I Find - My children’s book is now available! 🌿 I also welcome reviews.

Find me: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter


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