diff --git a/matchy/files/state.py b/matchy/files/state.py
index 3b2201b..438cf59 100644
--- a/matchy/files/state.py
+++ b/matchy/files/state.py
@@ -171,16 +171,17 @@ def datetime_to_ts(ts: datetime) -> str:
 
 class State():
     def __init__(self, data: dict, file: str | None = None):
-        """Initialise and validate the state"""
-        self.validate(data)
+        """Copy the data, migrate if needed, and validate"""
         self._dict = copy.deepcopy(data)
         self._file = file
 
-    def validate(self, dict: dict = None):
-        """Initialise and validate a state dict"""
-        if not dict:
-            dict = self._dict
-        _SCHEMA.validate(dict)
+        version = self._dict.get("version", 0)
+        for i in range(version, _VERSION):
+            logger.info("Migrating from v%s to v%s", version, version+1)
+            _MIGRATIONS[i](self._dict)
+            self._dict[_Key.VERSION] = _VERSION
+
+        _SCHEMA.validate(self._dict)
 
     @staticmethod
     def safe_write(func):
@@ -193,9 +194,9 @@ class State():
         def inner(self: State, *args, **kwargs):
             tmp = State(self._dict, self._file)
             func(tmp, *args, **kwargs)
-            tmp.validate()
+            _SCHEMA.validate(tmp._dict)
             if tmp._file:
-                tmp._save_to_file()
+                ops.save(tmp._file, tmp._dict)
             self._dict = tmp._dict
 
         return inner
@@ -345,11 +346,6 @@ class State():
         # We did not manage to remove the schedule (or add it? though that should be impossible)
         return False
 
-    @property
-    def dict_internal_copy(self) -> dict:
-        """Only to be used to get the internal dict as a copy"""
-        return copy.deepcopy(self._dict)
-
     @property
     def _users(self) -> dict[str]:
         return self._dict[_Key.USERS]
@@ -361,43 +357,17 @@ class State():
     @safe_write
     def _set_user_channel_prop(self, id: str, channel_id: str, key: str, value):
         """Set a user channel property helper"""
-        # Dive in
         user = self._users.setdefault(str(id), {})
         channels = user.setdefault(_Key.CHANNELS, {})
         channel = channels.setdefault(str(channel_id), {})
-
-        # Set the value
         channel[key] = value
 
-    def _save_to_file(self):
-        """Saves the state out to the chosen file"""
-        ops.save(self._file, self.dict_internal_copy)
-
-
-def _migrate(dict: dict):
-    """Migrate a dict through versions"""
-    version = dict.get("version", 0)
-    for i in range(version, _VERSION):
-        logger.info("Migrating from v%s to v%s", version, version+1)
-        _MIGRATIONS[i](dict)
-        dict[_Key.VERSION] = _VERSION
-
 
 def load_from_file(file: str) -> State:
     """
     Load the state from a files
-    Apply any required migrations
     """
-    loaded = _EMPTY_DICT
-
-    # If there's a file load it and try to migrate
-    if os.path.isfile(file):
-        loaded = ops.load(file)
-        _migrate(loaded)
-
+    loaded = ops.load(file) if os.path.isfile(file) else _EMPTY_DICT
     st = State(loaded, file)
-
-    # Save out the migrated (or new) file
     ops.save(file, st._dict)
-
     return st