I originally took interest in the Japanese language in 2014. Hiragana and Katakana.
Continued on and off until 2023.
2023 arrives. I decide to take learning Japanese very seriously. Up until then, I haven’t even interacted with a Japanese person.
So 2023 arrives and I decide to find meetup groups in my city. I happen to come across the best one. It’s not focused only on learning but instead making friends with each other.
They met up every week. Sometimes twice. I attended each one and the amazing owner always invites Japanese people who are in the city and who are new. It was an amazing opportunity to meet with natives. It was an insane year. I still attend the group today.
I’ve met hundreds of Japanese people, made a ton of friends, dated a few but importantly had the opportunity to practice my Japanese.
I went to Japan for the first time in 2023 and since then I’ve visited 4 times.
Now 1 year and 6 months later, I’m reflecting on my journey and it didn’t really hit me until now. I’m now able to confidently speak Japanese and listening feels natural.
Ive reached my goal of being able to communicate but it sort of feels strange because I wonder if I was expecting a big prize at the end of this but instead everything just feels the same.
I’m happy with the way things turned out, so to others who share the same experience, how does it feel for you?
Do you feel different, more unique, has it affected your daily life? Did it change who you are Or do you feel the same as you did before.
by japan_noob