Because I Lost My Medium Account
It was just another Tuesday evening. I was sitting at my desk, sipping tea, scrolling through my Medium account, and feeling proud of the articles I’d worked so hard on over the past year. I had poured my heart into those pieces — stories about life, work, my learning journey, and everything in between. They were more than just words on a screen; they were pieces of me.
And then, in one careless moment, it was all gone.
I don’t even remember exactly how it happened. I was trying to update my account settings, clicking through menus without thinking too much about it. And then, it happened: my account was gone!
My heart stopped.
I stared at the screen, my fingers frozen over the keyboard. Surely, it wouldn’t be that easy, right? Surely, there would be a warning, a confirmation, a way to recover data, a second chance. But no. With one click, my entire Medium account — every article, every draft, every comment, every connection — was gone. Just like that.
I frantically searched for a way to undo it, but the reality sank in quickly: this was permanent. Medium’s help center confirmed it.
“This deletion is permanent, and all your account data will be removed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
At first, I was angry — at myself, at the platform, at the universe. How could I be so careless? How could something so important be so easy to remove?
Anyway, here I am, starting from scratch. Rebuilding my Medium account, one article at a time. It’s not the same, and it never will be. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe this is a chance to tell new stories, to share new perspectives, and to connect with new readers.
Taking Control: My Personal Website
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from this experience is the importance of owning my content. Platforms like Medium are amazing for reaching a wide audience, but they also come with risks — risks I never fully appreciated until it was too late.
That’s why I’ve decided to take control of my work by publishing my blogs on my personal website: www.lilyraya.blog. This way, I can ensure that my stories are safe, accessible, and truly mine. No more relying solely on third-party platforms. No more fear of losing everything with one accidental click.
I’m also excited to announce that I’m launching a newsletter! It’s still in the works, but I can’t wait to share more personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive content with you. If you’ve enjoyed my writing in the past (or if you’re new here and want to join the journey), I’d love for you to visit my website and stay connected.
