Dear readers, whether you’re visiting this blog for the first time or are a regular, thank you for stopping by. This post is meant to be a little treat if you’re looking for affirmation, understanding, and support—particularly if you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated in your learning journey. Since our main focus here is language learning, I’ll approach it from that perspective again, but keep in mind: these thoughts apply to anyone working to acquire a new skill through hardship and frustration. When progress feels slower than expected and you start to feel lost or disheartened, I hope you’ll come back to this post.

Let me start by sharing one of my all-time favorite quotes that never fails to cheer me up and keep me going when the journey gets tough: “It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop.” These wise words from Confucius resonate deeply with language learners, because the process is naturally long and challenging. But that’s okay—it’s okay to move slowly, and it’s okay to settle into a routine that suits you and your lifestyle. As long as you keep pursuing your goal and don’t give up, you’re on the right path.

On that note, remember the classic proverb: “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” Find a way to learn a little each day, and before long you’ll start to see the results of your efforts. By building the simple habit of dedicating time to study, you set yourself up for steady, consistent progress.

American author Robert Collier knew this too, as he famously said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” This quote really applies to so many areas of life, doesn’t it? Every little bit helps, dear—just keep at it.

Have you ever heard of “day-tight compartments”? Sir William Osler, a renowned physician and educator, introduced this concept, advising people to compartmentalize their time and focus solely on the present, thereby reducing anxiety about the past or future. He said, “Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day’s work absorb your entire energies and satisfy your widest ambition.”

So don’t worry about what the future holds or the days that are already gone. All you have is today. What can you realistically focus on and accomplish right now, given everything you have to juggle? Once you’ve answered that question, that’s all you need to know. Give it your all during the limited time you’ve allocated to a task—like a language learning session—and don’t let worries distract you.

Another thought that helps me a lot is that every day is a new beginning. You may feel like you’re falling behind and should have done this or that. But here you are, in the moment, with a clean slate. The bonus is that you still have the knowledge you’ve already acquired. You have the privilege of a fresh start, and what you’ve learned is something no one can take away from you. So “start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can” (Arthur Ashe).

My final thought is simple, yet important: learning is about joy. Here you are, self-studying a foreign language when no one is pushing you except yourself—and perhaps your circumstances. You may be tempted to push yourself too hard or compare yourself to others who seem more successful, but resist that temptation. The same applies if you’re not a self-learner but are acquiring new knowledge and skills in a more formal environment or workplace.

Regardless of your situation, take a moment to acknowledge the beauty of the fact that you are learning—that, in itself, is an act of self-love. Celebrate yourself for this amazing pursuit, with all its imperfections and messiness. Remember, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” as Theodore Roosevelt said, and you need learning to be joyful in order to keep going. So rejoice, celebrate small achievements and victories, and believe in yourself. I certainly believe in you! ❤️