Hi Language Buddy!

I wish to explore a curious aspect of language learning - the scenario where people learn languages without any external compulsion or specific need.

From my conversations with language teachers, the majority of language learners are typically divided into three categories. The first group includes those who learn because their spouse or partner speaks a different language, and they need to communicate with their family effectively. The second group consists of people who require language skills for work purposes or are relocating to a foreign country. The third group, well, I seem to have forgotten. But the point is, these groups consist of individuals obligated to learn languages for one reason or another.

Then, there's a unique bunch of us who learn languages purely for the joy of it. It has nothing to do with our job, partner, family, or relocation. We learn because we love the process, even when life's competing priorities loom large.

Every choice we make in life reflects our priorities. When we choose to learn a language for fun, we're consciously deciding to dedicate our precious time to this pursuit. Time, I believe, is our most valuable commodity, even more so than money. For instance, I've spent the past year learning Russian. It took quite some time before I started enjoying satisfying conversations and took pride in my progress.

In the early stages, it felt thankless. I experienced a pang of guilt for dedicating time to something unrelated to any actual obligation, merely for my pleasure. We all make sacrifices to pursue our interests, like spending less time with family or friends, which can result in guilt, particularly for language learners like us.

I don't have a ready answer to resolve this guilt. However, I firmly believe in the mental benefits of language learning. It's an exercise for your brain, a nourishment for your intellect, and a way to nurture that part of you attracted to languages. Consider it a form of self-care if you love learning languages.

Learning languages also brings unique opportunities. You become a listening ear for someone who might otherwise feel unheard. You can have enriching exchanges when conversing in someone's native language. Of course, these points may not fully dissipate the guilt associated with the sacrifices we make, but they add value to our endeavor.

Naming and acknowledging the existence of this guilt can be a step towards coping with it. If you're feeling this way, remember, you're not alone. All of us, part of this wonderful language learning community, are navigating these feelings and sharing these experiences.

So, keep learning, keep growing, and keep having fun with languages. The guilt may linger, but the joy of learning and the community we build along the way is a reward in itself. Remember, self-care is paramount, and if learning languages is part of that for you, embrace it wholeheartedly.

Take care, and until next time, bye!