The year is coming to an end! Here's an honest review of how my year went and what I want

How did it go with my languages this year? Well, let's start with why it didn't go as well as I wanted it to go. 2022 was a very difficult year for me. I was diagnosed with a few mental disorders (not fun, and these will not be named) and was admitted to the psychiatric hospital (even more not fun), at the exact week that my mom passed away from cancer (the worst thing that happened). Because of this and more, 2022 was a hard year for language learning. I am transparent with you online because I feel this is a safe space and I want to do my part in helping to de-stigmatize or remove the taboo from talking about mental illness.

It didn't go as well as planned! I kicked off the year with a bang, starting to read a Hungarian book, but that soon fell off the radar as it became too difficult. Bold of me to assume I can read an advanced book in Hungarian when being at level A1/A2. Welp. I did continue my Hungarian through italki lessons though, which went very well, and I can feel my confidence in speaking Hungarian growing.

Thai was the new language I added this year. I learned it solely for the reason that I was going to Thailand for one week. I learned for 20 hours and was able to use conversational Thai in Bangkok! I took so many lessons online, but even if it did drain me a little, I'd say it went quite well given the amount of time I had. I would have wished to start earlier and taken it slower, but I didn't know I was going to Thailand until a month and a half or so before booking tickets (to see my favorite band Joan in concert!).

As for Korean and the rest (Japanese, Chinese, French, Arabic, German), it was a slow year. I did not review a lot, although I bought quite a lot of textbooks from Kinokuniya when I was in Thailand. This is in preparation for the new year! I will brush up on my Japanese and refresh my Korean, possibly taking the JLPT and TOPIK exams. I think registration for both opens in April so I still have some time to decide, especially since my Masters is starting next year.

My new language for 2023 will be Norwegian. I have a challenge with my friend where he will learn Hungarian if I learn Norwegian, so it's kind of an exchange that we're trying. I will start on 1 January and already have 2 textbooks and a graded reader to start from. Wish me luck!