Data Management

Your journal is your data. Learn how to export, backup, import, and manage it securely.

[!IMPORTANT] Recommended backup cadence: Export weekly if you journal daily. Your data is precious—protect it!

Table of Contents

• Export Your Journal
• Backup Strategies
• Import Journal Data
• Data Portability
• Managing Storage
• Privacy and Data Security
• Data Analysis
• Compliance and Standards
• Best Practices
• Next Steps

Export Your Journal

Export formats

BeHereMeow supports multiple export formats:

JSON

• Complete data export
• Includes metadata such as tags, mentions, and timestamps
• Best for: Backups, data portability, technical users
• File size: ~1-2MB per 1000 entries

Markdown

• Human-readable text files
• One .md file per entry
• Preserves formatting
• Best for: Reading outside BeHereMeow, archiving
• File size: ~500KB per 1000 entries

PDF

• Formatted document
• Paginated, ready to print
• Includes images
• Best for: Physical backup, sharing with therapist
• File size: ~5-10MB per 1000 entries

CSV

• Spreadsheet-compatible
• Basic fields only (date, title, content, tags)
• Best for: Data analysis, importing to other tools
• File size: ~300KB per 1000 entries

How to export

1. Go to Account → Export Journal
2. Select export format
3. Choose date range:
   • All entries
   • Specific year
   • Custom date range
4. Click Export
5. Download ZIP file

Tip: Exports are generated on-demand and don't slow down your account. Feel free to export frequently!

Export directory structure

When you download your export, you'll receive a ZIP file organized like this:

Choosing your export format

Not sure which format to use? Here's a quick comparison:

Format	Best For	File Size	Portability	Metadata
JSON	Backups, data analysis, re-importing	Small	High	Complete
Markdown	Reading, editing, version control	Medium	Very High	Partial
PDF	Printing, archiving, sharing	Large	Medium	Visual only
CSV	Spreadsheets, basic analysis	Small	High	Limited

What's included in exports

JSON export includes:

• Entry content (full text)
• Title
• Date/time created and modified
• Tags array
• Mentions array
• Mood indicators
• Star status
• Entry ID
• Images (as base64 or URLs)

Markdown export includes:

• Entry content with formatting
• Frontmatter (date, tags, mentions)
• Images (as links or embedded)
• Filename: YYYY-MM-DD-title.md

PDF export includes:

• Formatted entries
• Headers with date/time
• Tags and mentions footer
• Images inline
• Page numbers
• Table of contents

CSV export includes:

• Date/time
• Title
• Content (plain text)
• Tags (comma-separated)
• Mentions (comma-separated)
• Word count
• Mood

Export scheduling

Set up automatic exports:

1. Go to Account → Automated Exports
2. Choose frequency:
   • Weekly
   • Monthly
   • Quarterly
3. Select format
4. Exports delivered via email

Note: Automated exports are available on Premium plans.

Backup Strategies

3-2-1 backup rule

Follow best practices:

3 copies of your data:

1. Original (in BeHereMeow)
2. Local backup (computer)
3. Off-site backup (cloud/external drive)

2 different media:

• Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
• Physical drive (USB, external HDD)

1 off-site:

• Not in your home
• Protected from physical disasters

Backup frequency

Recommended schedule:

Journal frequency	Backup frequency
Daily	Weekly
Few times/week	Bi-weekly
Weekly	Monthly

Set a recurring calendar reminder to export and backup.

Where to store backups

Cloud storage:

• ✅ Dropbox (encrypted)
• ✅ Google Drive (with encryption)
• ✅ iCloud (end-to-end encrypted)
• ✅ OneDrive

Physical storage:

• ✅ Encrypted USB drive
• ✅ External hard drive
• ✅ NAS (Network Attached Storage)

Don't store:

• ❌ Unencrypted cloud storage
• ❌ Shared drives
• ❌ Public folders

Encrypt your backups

Protect exported files:

Mac/Linux:

# Encrypt with GPG
gpg -c journal-backup.zip

# This creates journal-backup.zip.gpg

Windows:

• Use 7-Zip with AES-256 encryption
• Or VeraCrypt for encrypted containers

Cloud encryption:

• Cryptomator (free, open-source)
• Boxcryptor (paid)
• Built-in encryption (if available)

[!IMPORTANT] Store your encryption password securely! Consider using a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden.

Test your backups

Quarterly backup test:

1. Download your most recent backup
2. Open/extract the files
3. Verify entries are readable
4. Check images load correctly
5. Confirm metadata is intact

Don't assume backups work—verify them!

Import Journal Data

Import from other apps

BeHereMeow can import from:

Supported formats:

• Day One (JSON export)
• Journey (CSV export)
• Penzu (text export)
• Standard markdown files
• Generic CSV

How to import:

1. Export from your previous app
2. Go to Account → Import
3. Select app/format
4. Upload file
5. Review mapping options
6. Click Import
7. Wait for processing (can take several minutes for large journals)

Import from BeHereMeow export

Restore from backup:

If using JSON:

1. Account → Import → BeHereMeow JSON
2. Upload your exported .zip file
3. All metadata preserved

If using Markdown:

1. Account → Import → Markdown Files
2. Upload .md files or .zip
3. Frontmatter becomes metadata
4. Choose tags/mentions handling

If using CSV:

1. Account → Import → CSV
2. Map columns (date, content, tags)
3. Preview before importing
4. Import

[!WARNING] Imports create new entries. If you import data already in your account, you'll get duplicates. Be careful when restoring!

Handling duplicates

If you accidentally import duplicates:

Option 1: Delete manually

• Filter by import date
• Review and delete

Option 2: Contact support

• We can bulk-delete duplicates
• Provide import timestamp

Import troubleshooting

Common issues:

"Date format not recognized"

• Solution: Ensure dates are ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD)
• Or select date format in import wizard

"Tags not importing"

• Solution: Check CSV column names match
• Tags should be comma-separated

"Images not loading"

• Solution: Images must be < 10MB each
• Include images in ZIP with markdown

"Import failed"

• Solution: Check file size (max 100MB)
• Try breaking into smaller batches
• Contact support if persists

Data Portability

Your data rights

You own your journal data:

• ✅ Export anytime, for any reason
• ✅ No lock-in or restrictions
• ✅ Take your data if you leave
• ✅ No fees for exporting

Open formats

BeHereMeow uses standard formats:

• JSON - Universal data format
• Markdown - Plain text, any app can read
• CSV - Import to Excel, Google Sheets
• PDF - Print, archive, share

Your data isn't trapped in proprietary format.

Migrating to another app

If you decide to leave BeHereMeow:

1. Export as JSON (complete data)
2. Export as Markdown (human-readable)
3. Download both formats
4. Import to new app (if supported)
5. Keep exports as archive

We want you to stay, but your data is always yours.

Managing Storage

Storage limits

Free plan:

• 1000 entries
• 100MB total
• Unlimited text
• Images count toward limit

Premium plan:

• Unlimited entries
• 10GB total
• Unlimited images

Check your usage

1. Go to Account → Storage
2. View:
   • Total entries
   • Storage used
   • Images count
   • Breakdown by month

Reduce storage if needed

Delete old images:

1. Search entries with images
2. Review and remove unused images
3. Images deleted permanently after 30 days

Archive old entries:

1. Export entries older than 2 years
2. Delete from account
3. Keep export as archive

Use external image links:

• Host images elsewhere
• Link in entries instead of uploading
• Doesn't count toward storage

Privacy and Data Security

Where is data stored

Server location:

• Primary: US (AWS)
• Backup: Europe (AWS)
• Encrypted at rest
• Encrypted in transit (TLS)

Database:

• PostgreSQL (industry standard)
• Daily backups
• 30-day retention

Who can access your data

Only you:

• No employees read your entries
• No access without your permission
• Court orders: We'll notify you if legally required

Support access:

• Only with your explicit permission
• Only for troubleshooting
• Limited to specific issue
• Logged and time-limited

Account deletion

If you delete your account:

1. All data marked for deletion
2. 30-day grace period (can undo)
3. After 30 days: permanent deletion
4. Backups purged within 60 days
5. No recovery after deletion

[!WARNING] Account deletion is permanent. Export your data first!

Data Analysis

Export for analysis

Use CSV export for:

• Word frequency analysis
• Sentiment trends
• Tag usage over time
• Writing habits

Tools to try:

• Excel/Google Sheets (basic analysis)
• Python/pandas (advanced)
• Tableau (visualization)
• R (statistical analysis)

API access

API access is not currently available. If you need programmatic access to your data, we recommend using our export features (JSON format) for now.

Interested in API access? Let us know through our contact page.

Compliance and Standards

GDPR compliance

BeHereMeow complies with GDPR:

• Right to access (export anytime)
• Right to deletion (account deletion)
• Right to portability (open formats)
• Right to rectification (edit entries)
• Data minimization (collect what's needed)

EU users: Your data stays in EU region if selected.

Data retention

Active accounts:

• Data kept indefinitely
• Regular backups

Inactive accounts (no login for 2 years):

• Email notification before action
• 90-day warning
• Export sent via email
• Then account archived

Deleted accounts:

• Purged after 30-day grace period
• No recovery

Best Practices

Regular maintenance

Monthly:

• Review storage usage
• Clean up unused tags
• Check backup integrity
• Update export

Quarterly:

• Full JSON export
• Test backup restore
• Review privacy settings

Yearly:

• Archive old entries (if needed)
• Update encryption password
• Review data management strategy

Automation

Set up:

1. Calendar reminder for monthly export
2. Automated cloud backup of exports
3. Encryption automation script (optional)
4. Duplicate export to multiple locations

Use tools like:

• IFTTT (trigger exports)
• Zapier (automate backups)
• Cron jobs (scheduled scripts)

Next Steps

Now that you understand data management, here's what to do next:

• Set up your first backup: Export to JSON format to create a complete snapshot of your journal data
• Test your export: Download and verify you can open the files—don't wait until you need them
• Review privacy controls: Read how journal data is handled in the privacy policy
• Plan your backup cadence: Weekly for daily journaling, monthly for occasional entries
• Try importing old journals: Ready to migrate from another app? See Import from other apps
• Set a calendar reminder: Make backups automatic by scheduling monthly export reminders

[!TIP] Premium users can enable automated weekly exports in Account → Automated Exports for worry-free backups!

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Your journal, your control. Manage it confidently. 🐱