Languages and Life
One Day At a Time / 一日一日
I haven’t been sharing my weekly study logs as I did last year. Life has been overwhelming, and for a while, I wasn’t doing much outside of work. Over the past two months, though, I’ve returned to language learning, but in a different way.
Since I work in a French environment, I’m lucky to hear and use French every day. Beyond that, my approach to languages has become more holistic. Instead of meticulously tracking my study habits, I’ve taken a more relaxed and natural approach.
What I’ve come to realize is that languages have become an integral part of my life. They no longer feel like a separate hobby or a task to check off my list. In the past, I studied languages and shared my progress online. Now, as I’ve immersed myself in new interests and met new people, tracking my progress has taken a backseat. The languages I’ve learned and am still learning are still central to who I am. Maybe even more so than before.
Recently, I’ve connected with many new people who share an interest in languages but aren’t part of the online language learning community. Hearing their perspectives and approaches has been refreshing. It reminded me that, even after years of studying languages, my goal has never been to be an expert. I’m just here for the ongoing journey.
A few weeks ago, my coworkers and I went to a painting studio to decorate denim jackets. It had been ages since I’d painted (another hobby I had put on pause, much like tracking my language studies). After spending an eternity deciding what to paint, I decided I’d go abstract and that I’d be giving the jacket to someone.
I felt more excited about painting once I knew it wasn’t going to be for me. I liked the design once it was finished but felt it was missing something. That something it was missing was the Japanese phrase “一日一日” (Day by day).
It wasn’t until later that I realized how much that phrase resonates with me. It reflects a phrase I often say to myself in English: “One day at a time.” It’s a reminder to focus on the present moment, whether in language learning, painting, or just living life.
How big of a role do languages play in your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’d also be curious to know what you think of this new style of newsletter!
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