Why language learning is hard

Language learning could be really tough if you cared about your status or ability to excel - but these things aren't really issues for me, thank God. For me, not having much Spanish is hard for a couple of other reasons. It cripples my ability to function as an adult (so for example, I don't know what they're offering in restaurants and I can't ask the bus driver to let me off at a particular spot). With this, I lose some of the satisfaction of productivity and the dignity of independence. My beginner's Spanish also prevents me from playing a normal part in relationships. I miss out on something of the richness and warmth of adult relationships. And, what with my piecemeal progress, it's going to continue like this for a while yet.

These things are hard, but don't worry, I'm not too discouraged and I'm really okay - God is looking after me, there are many lovely things - and people - in my life, and it won't be like this forever :).