A few days ago, there was a massive blackout in Europe, and I don’t just want to share how I experienced it, but also the reflection it led me to: how to be better prepared to survive a similar situation in the future—and, above all, how to ensure my digital business is prepared too.

The Elevator

Just minutes before the blackout, I went out to buy some bread around the corner. I called the elevator, like always, but this time it took a while.

For some reason, I decided to take the stairs. A simple decision that ended up being important.

When I returned, there was no power in any building.

Elevators were down. Lights off. A strange silence in the air.

The first thing I thought was: “Good thing I didn’t get in the elevator on my way out!”

I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like to be trapped in a metal box, in the dark, with no signal, and no idea how long it would last.

The Kitchen

Back home, I tried to find out what was going on. My phone signal wasn’t great, but I managed to get a few WhatsApp messages.

One of my groups said there was a power outage across Portugal, Spain, and parts of Germany, France, and Sweden.

That’s when I realized this wasn’t a quick 15-minute outage. It could last hours—maybe even days.

I didn’t worry too much and started reading a book.

When I wanted to make lunch, I realized everything in my kitchen is electric. No stove, no microwave.

Nothing worked.

So I checked what I could eat from the fridge that didn’t require cooking: just bread and cheese.

That’s what I had for lunch.

And later, when I wanted to make some mate, I couldn’t heat the water. That’s when it hit me how dependent I am on electricity for everything.

So I went to a hotel lobby to have a coffee.

The Food

Walking to the hotel felt like a scene from an apocalyptic movie.

All businesses closed. Streets silent. People walking around as if no one quite knew what to do.

At one point, I saw a huge line of people.

They were all waiting to buy from a supermarket that was open, despite having no power.

I stood there for a moment, wondering if I should buy something too. But I still had bread, cheese, and a few other things at home.

I could make it through the day.

Still, I started to think: if this goes on, am I prepared for more than just a day?

The Money

I kept walking to the hotel. A couple of blocks later, another long line—this time at the ATM.

People wanted cash. No one knew how long the blackout would last, or whether card payments would work the next day.

I thought about withdrawing some money, but luckily I already had some cash saved. Not much, but enough.

I went into the lobby, ordered a coffee, and kept reading.

Reading in the hotel lobby.

The Privileges

After a while, I went out for a walk.

Later, I returned to the hotel, hoping to connect to the Wi-Fi.

I asked for the password, and they asked for my room number. I said I was just having coffee, and they told me they couldn’t give me access.

I said that was okay, and I’d order another coffee.

But they said: “We’re not serving non-guests under the circumstances, sorry.”

It seemed fair enough, though it made me reflect on how priorities shift in emergency situations.

I sat down on a couch and kept reading.

The Businesses

Night came and I was hungry again.

I went out looking for an open place to have dinner.

Everything was closed.

I found a restaurant that looked like it was still running. I went up and they told me they weren’t accepting any more customers.

I went home resigned. Ate bread and cheese again, and drank some water.

Then I started wondering: if physical businesses shut down, what happens to digital ones?

The Darkness

It was nearly 8 PM, and still no power.

I thought about going back to the hotel and staying there for a while.

On the way, I saw more people walking around with backpacks and flashlights, as if planning to spend the night elsewhere.

The city was starting to go completely dark.

No lights, no screens, no electric hum… everything felt more vulnerable.

No one wanted to be alone at home, in complete darkness and silence.

The Battery

I got to the hotel and, to my surprise, they wouldn’t let me in.

They had restricted access to guests only.

I thought about booking a room just to spend the night productively in the lobby.

But they said it wasn’t possible anymore.

They were fully booked.

I was left outside, on the street, with only 20% battery left on my phone.

I went to my car and sat there charging the phone. Just enough to be able to use it for the rest of the night.

There wasn’t much else to do. I went back home, climbed the stairs with my phone flashlight, lay down, and fell asleep.

No power. No internet. No information.

The Reflection

After going through this experience, I started asking myself a few questions:

1. How can I be better prepared if this happens again?

2. What would happen if my digital business depended 100% on me?

1) Survival Kit

After the blackout, several European countries published lists of essential items to survive a few days without basic supplies:

• Bottled water (at least 5 liters per person)

• Easy-to-prepare and preferably non-perishable food

• A battery-powered radio

• A flashlight

• A spare mobile phone battery

• A portable stove (and bottled gas)

• Fuel

• Matches

• Cash

• Medication

• Iodine tablets

• First-aid supplies

• Duct tape

• A fire extinguisher

• Hygiene products

Source: https://es.euronews.com/

Having something like this ready would help face a similar situation more effectively in the future.

2) Automated Digital Business

If I had been in the middle of a product launch, delivering online services, or managing a team, my business likely would have stopped working properly.

So, how could it be as automated as possible?

• A content calendar with automated posting

• AI agents for lead generation

• Evergreen automated funnels

• Automated launches via Email and/or WhatsApp

• Clear documentation so the team doesn’t rely on individuals

• A remote team distributed across different countries

• Automated support with bots and AI agents

Some things aren’t easy to automate, but it’s possible.

The goal is to have a digital business that keeps running even when you’re out of touch, in the dark, eating bread and cheese.

Is your business ready for that?